where the path of least resistance might really lead us ...

"the path of least resistance is for losers" - H.G. Wells

Now, I have no idea the context of this quote and don't know much about H.G. Wells other than that he wrote "War of the Worlds" -

which before it was a Tom Cruise blockbuster was used in a radio broadcast about a martian invasion of Grovers Mills, New Jersey -

(which I can assure you would be the first place for an invasion especially if these were desperate pizza-addicted aliens willing to sit in bumper to bumper traffic and pay high tolls to get some amazing thin crusts)

that was so believable people actually leaped to their deaths rather than face this potential calamity.

I would agree that the path of least resistance isn't a path that you can be on from birth to death and actually get anywhere - you will end up in the basement of your parent's house, with your mom doing your laundry and dad paying you in quarters to cut the grass on Sundays -

(although there are days this does not sound so bad to me)

but, I don't want to be beating my head against the wall all the time either.

(and I really can't spare the kind of brain cells this beating might endanger)

Can't the path of least resistance be the appropriate path sometimes?

Some of the best things in my life have come to me, at least in the early stages, rather effortlessly.

I met my husband on a blind date I totally did not want to go on (still married), I got the best job I ever had while using their restroom, bought the first house we looked at (still here - not sure I would recommend this one, but it has worked out for us)...

Of course at a certain point these effortless things get a bit efforty and then you get to decide just how much you want them and whether you want to push through the resistance, that is sure to come up sooner or later,

and the importance of that pushing may be more about the muscles you will get from the process than whether or not you actually get where you think you want to go or get what you think you want to get

Maybe, the start of a very good path for us could look like the path of least resistance - I am not going to climb through sticker bushes when there is a perfectly plowed path to the ocean, after all

(of course if those sticker bushes lead to a private beach, and I know the owners are in Hawaii for a week, well, I might just put on some heavy denim and plow through - not that I have ever done this)

but when that perfectly good path has some rocks and detours and sticker bushes of its own as it will sooner or later, I'm not exactly going to turn around

although sometimes when that path turns into a 10 ft brickwall we may need to find a way around it or regroup to grow the muscles we will need to climb that or decide if we even want to because how many times have we really, really pushed and moved mountains for something only to find it really wasn't what we wanted anyway - it didn't make us happy ...

I don't think the path of least resistance is for losers - sometimes it is for smart people avoiding sticker bushes and Jersey traffic.

Disclaimer - since I am not an expert in resistance and cannot be said to actually know what I am talking about I cannot be held responsible for any actions you might take from reading any of my posts - please keep this in mind if you end up in your parents' basement playing Guitar Hero in which case I would recommend a Nook and some H.G. Wells.

* a hazy stretch of grey print by leahtree photography

3 comments

Sherry said...

I cannot promise you I can heed this advice, but it is timely to say the least.

For the moment, I am going to immerse my self in actual work. Nothing but work and remember the joy in the making.

Funny thing, we actually bought the first house we looked at too. Still here.

Thanks,
xoSherry

Anonymous said...

I have always admired how driven you are to experience this life as more than simply a maker... but a small business owner who strives for something bigger. Though when you started talking recently about simplifying and getting back to the basics, I had to admit I had a huge sigh of relief... because it's terribly intimidating for a variety of reasons, for me to think of my business as anything bigger than something I couldn't handle on my own. I'm glad you are starting to feel that shift, and remember what's important... As for me, simply making and being, and getting by is quite rewarding enough. Sure more sales means more financial freedom, but I also quite like having the freedom of time too. ♥ much to consider as we grow.

Brenda said...

I've read this a few times, Cat! And what I keep thinking is this: is it least resistance or is it being very open to opportunity and possibility? I'm not a person who's that open - I have to analyze everything to death (something I'm trying so hard to learn to not do so much). I love hearing about the folks who are so in tune with or open or whatever that life continues to line up for them. When, in fact, they're just lining up with life, perhaps?

There's a school of thought that if you are truly doing what you're meant to be doing ... life will be pretty easy. Decisions are easier to make. You won't struggle as much. Maybe that's part of it, too.

Being stubborn-headed, German Brenda, I have to do everything the hard way. And decisions became exponentially more difficult for me the more I struggle. And yet ... in the struggle is where I learn and grow, so ...

I don't have any answers. :D But I'll continue to enjoy your series - great reading and wonderful food for thought!

xo Brenda