It turns out Hercules and I had the same choice to make.
He chose wisely.
For years, I had chosen poorly.
“Hercules at the Crossroads”
Young Hercules is visited by two women, and they offered him a choice between two paths.
First Kakia, the personification of vice, offered a life of pleasure and ease. Second, Arete, the personification of virtue, offered a life of hardship and honor.
Hercules chooses the path of Virtue.
"Ryan at the Crossroads"
In college, young Ryan was visited with an opportunity to go on spring break.
But lacrosse season is during spring break? So, I no showed to the first day of lacrosse practice in my second year. The shame kept me out of the gym for the entire year.
When I was in danger of not graduating. Although I did what needed to be done, I did it with the easiest teachers I could find.
Was I ready for college? We'll leave that for another time.
"Why should I change? I don't have a problem."
That pattern continued for a while. Frankly, I got good at it and it worked for me. It's been slow. It'll continue to be slow, but I am in it for the long run now.
I believe there are no short cuts.
I write about THE LONG CUT.