The Path of Least Resistance

As we approach the various situations in our daily lives, there are many choices to make. Often things seem to boil down to two conflicting options, the easy way and the one more difficult. That proverbial "easy way" usually looks simpler, offers the more immediate benefit or satisfaction, and may involve less conflict with related parties. The difficult choice requires more thought and care, offers long term benefit and promises some kind of short term battle. So it is with moral choices, relationship choices, varying lies (little white ones and otherwise), financial decisions, etc. Do we compromise for the sake of short term pleasure and conflict avoidance, or do we choose what often amounts to the good fight? Better choices come with a cost, but usually equate to a sound investment in the future. Such questions present themselves many times each day. Sometimes the issues are minor, yet not always. It may be possible that there is no such thing as a small or insignificant choice. Perhaps a man or woman's life is really nothing more than the sum of all his or her choices. We become what we choose and every compromise, however small it seems, is in effect a step backwards. Our choices determine, even betray, our character ... and our character guides our destiny. Let us choose wisely.


The Path of Least Resistance
The path of least resistance
Often seems the one to take
Sometimes in spite of better judgement
We choose it just for comfort's sake
We know the steep or rocky trail
Might yield the best reward
But we grow weary of our journey
Or perhaps we just get bored
And that moment of decision
When we linger on the trail
Is the fire where the hearts of men
Are tested, lest they fail
Should we choose the way more difficult
Because it seems the best
Or take the trail of compromise
Because we think we need the rest
Our goals grow dimmer on the way
We're not so self assured
Our destination seemed so clear
But our vision becomes blurred
And then there seems no reason
We should take the tougher route
We choose the path of least resistance
Hoping things will all work out
But when, at last, our journey ends
And our choices lay behind
Comes the time for reaping what we've sown
With no chance to change our minds
For the path of least resistance
Yields the least when all is done
But the victory is sweet
For those who choose the harder one

By Frank Carpenter ©