"The road to well" is "The road less traveled."

For ten years I stood in front of classes at LSU and surveyed them to determine what was important in their lives. The survey form included twelve to fifteen words such as wealth, success, family, security, knowledge, etc. I asked them to prioritize these words in terms of their future. Every semester security and success ranked # 1 and # 2 - the order changed occasionally but these were always 1 and 2.

On security my response was simple - it’s not “out there;” it’s inside of each of us. Security I’d explain was not in the bank or on Wall Street or in a gated community or on a financial statement but rather in our hearts, minds, hands and souls. Some got it - others didn’t. I’m guessing some of these same students maybe reflecting on my words each month when they open their 401K statement. I hope they remember the quote - “Success is never final and failure is rarely fatal.”

On success we’d expand the dialogue. My first question would always be - “Do all of you want to be successful?” All heads would bob in agreement. Then I’d ask - “Define success.” The “bobbing” heads would freeze with a deer in the headlights appearance. I’d press the issue - What is success? What does it mean to you? Are you going to spend your life chasing this and not define it? What? Why? How?

Finally one brave student would raise his / her hand and say something like - “You know, find a job and be happy.” This was the opening I needed. We’d discuss how each of them was unique - a single piece of a global jig saw puzzle. I’d ask - “What’s the chance of you dropping your truly unique puzzle piece into some corporate puzzle and fitting in, ‘you know, being happy’ - what is the chance of success?” They’d get it - they’d begin to doubt and more importantly start to think.

My advice was then and is now - first define yourself. What are your values, your beliefs, your personality style, your likes, your dislikes, etc.? What is really important to you? What is not? I’d encourage them to first clearly define themselves and then find an organization, career, profession, and / or passion compatible with their piece. You know, - where they’d fit right in…

I knew that this one class at the beginning of each semester would not change their lives but I did and do believe it planted a “seed of thought” in their subconscious that might over time blossom and provide intellectual and spiritual nourishment.

In our world today - parents and others put us on the road to success so that we can be secure - do things to make us rich. Unfortunately this process doesn’t help us determine - “Who we be?” Such a race to fame and fortune all too often results in a discovery - “Is this all there is?” A moment of doubt, stress, or frustration - we’ve worked this hard and found stuff but not fulfillment - satisfaction - peace of mind.

Robert Frost was right - “Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” First travel the road “To Be.”

Copyright - Michael G. Manes (January 14, 2008)
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