I painted Woodland Path during January and February of 2020 with anticipation of spring (painting is for sale). The narrow winding path with wild flowers ends in a meadow filled with light beside a small lake. The path invites me to go deep into the woods and lie down in green pastures beside still waters (Psalm 23:2). As I look at this painting, I am reminded of Scott Peck’s book, The Road Less Traveled, published in 1978. Woodland Path reminds me of a “path less traveled.”

The essence of Peck’s book is “the journey of spiritual growth is a long one and life is difficult” (page 15).

 

Peck states, “Life is a series of problems, but do we want to moan about them or solve them?” Discipline is the basic tool required to solve our problems. Without discipline, we solve nothing. With total discipline, we can solve all problems (page 16). Sometimes, humans want the easy way out which requires little discipline.

 

Peck believes accepting responsibility for your actions and decisions is a part of solving your problems. We must accept responsibility for a problem before we can solve the problem.

 

We can’t solve a problem by hoping someone else will solve it for us. If we don’t take responsibility for what concerns us, we may blame others for our circumstances.

 

It’s easier to blame others for our troubles than to get up and take action by discipline and do something proactive and constructive to change our lives. (page 32).

 

If we believe life is hard and a series of problems that need to be solved, we can develop a plan of action to address those concerns.

 

As a psychologist, I have watched some people blame everyone but themselves for their problems.

 

Until you admit the truth, take ownership of the truth, and accept responsibility that you are a part of the problem, then you will  never reach your desired goal. You can spend the rest of your life blaming someone else for your issues, or you can get up and take responsibility for your life. 

 

I went through a much despised and hated divorce when I was young, and I could have moaned about it for the rest of my life. I had an opportunity to further my education or sit around and cry the blues and play the victim.

 

Playing the victim typically means you never take responsibility for your life and your problems. 

 

People can be told a thousand different ways what the problem is and how to fix it, but do they listen and take responsibility—or do they  complain and blame someone else?

 

Do you need to accept some responsibility in your life and actually do something to fix a problem?

 

 

Taking responsibility for your life is the path less traveled.

 

Should you be interested in one of my paintings, please contact me through my blog site at www.drbrendaramboauthor.com. I have many more paintings, and I would also  be delighted to paint something special for you via a commissioned painting.

My paintings are in oil.