TO GO OR NOT TO GO

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference

'THE ROAD NOT TAKEN' by Robert Frost has been well used to depict many things and one of course is about matters of the heart. How many of us have been caught in the predicament of having to choose one or the other or having to stay put or to move on? No one can give you answers but ultimately you have to decide because therein lies your happiness and your future. The scenario of whether to keep on surviving in a family or to live your life is present and very real. We may not want to talk about it but someday sometime we will need to take stock or forever live to die in a world of the living. As with every major move taken there are advantages and disadvantages. It takes great resolve and determination and courage to step out, to analyse and to decide. I am talking about marriage and divorce. Traditionally for a married person there is only one road: staying put. This is well and fine when things are in order But the difficult part is even if the world collapses you are expected to stay put because marriage comes as a package and there is no back door. I speak mostly for the woman who often puts others before herself, particularly her children. But reality says there are two roads: staying put or moving on. So we weigh the pros and cons. This may be simplistic but generally true.

STAYING PUT IN A MARRIAGE WROUGHT WITH PROBLEMS- What are the Advantages? The family is intact. The children are spared the physical and emotional pain of separation especially if they are still young.There is a 50-50 chance that things may improve through hard work, communication or divine intervention.There will be no condemnation heaped on you from religious bodies, family and friends. There will be praises for you as the unsung hero who has brought the family through. What are the Disadvantages? Lots of stress, tears and unhappiness.Feelings of being shortchanged.Feelings of being taken for granted and advantaged of.Always wondering about the road not taken. Possible ‘cold wars’ during retirement years when both of you can no longer communicate. Your responsibility of taking care of the kids is over as they have flown the nest. You are 2 strangers living in a hotel called marriage. Possibility of problems remaining as they are with no change. Worse, more problems may occur.Tendency to escape through fantasy, real or cyber relationships with the opposite sex because consciously or unconsciously you are seeking to fill the void in your soul.Tendency for other males to gravitate towards you because the void in you will manifest itself unknowingly.

WHAT DO YOU NEED IF YOU CHOOSE TO STAY PUT A resilient spirit, a non-complaining spirit, knowing that God is your best confidante and anchor. Do not wash your dirty linen in public. Confide in very close friends only.Cut off ALL intimate relationships with other men or women, real or in cyberspace which are robbing family time, husband-wife time. Such relationships can be a crutch, a fantasy. All three (husband, wife, other person) will feel cheated and hurt.Work at communication. Seek professional help if necessary.

MOVING ON TO PRESERVE YOU SANITY- What are the Advantages? A sense of freedom and joy that you have not felt for years. A liberation indeed from the shackles. The yoke on your shoulder has been lifted. No additional burdens, worries or unpleasant surprises from him/her. A time to explore new and better relationships. A time for your children to be more matured, more responsible, more realistic and kinder and appreciative towards others. What are the Disadvantages?

FEELINGS of anger, sadness, depression, helplessness, loneliness, and guilt. You will need good friends for support and go for a ‘guilt-free’ programme. Self help programmes are available via the internet. Children may not be able to accept the new situation. Solution: start preparing them now.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS and SOME FRIENDS will condemn you. Colleagues will gossip. This is when you find out who your true friends are. Solution: delete all wounding mail. Trash belongs to the trashcan. You don’t need anyone’s approval for what you want to do, esp. so when the person hasn’t walked the mile with you. Confide in people who care enough.

INDEPENDENCE: Everything is in your hands now – the leaking faucet, the fused wire, the punctured tyre, income tax returns etc. Solution: start being independent: get contacts for technicians, plumbers etc. You might be fleeced by unscrupulous people out to make a fast buck from a divorcee…….but what is a little money lost compared to sanity of mind?

PAIN: The whole process of divorce is painful. Leaving or seeing the other pack the bags and leave. Meeting in court. Seeing him/her pick the children up after the divorce. If both parties are agreeable, divorce in Malaysia is granted after 6 months. If one party contests, the tug-of-war will last 2 years or more. The cost varies. The longer the proceedings take, the more expensive it is. Adjusting to divorce is a process that takes time, so allow yourself time to heal and remember to focus on one day at a time.

WHAT DO YOU NEED IF YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE ON? A lot of will power, focus, independence and determination. Knowing that you have thought it through carefully and given your best shot. Knowing that you can walk away without regrets or fear of condemnation. Knowing that you deserve better, a piece of heaven on earth. Some people who genuinely care for you.

HELPFUL REMINDERS You only live once and you are responsible for your own happiness. Whatever road you take, be at peace with God. Do not be affected by what others say or think. Your life is yours, not theirs. In a relationship, both parties should live. If one party is living while the other party is dying, which party do you want to be? God loves you no matter which road you take. Going to heaven or hell does NOT depend on good or failed relationships. Take some time out to think. If you go somewhere faraway for a few weeks, you will see the big picture, and that will help you decide the road you wish to take.

Free at Last