The path's we choose

Why is it we choose a certain path in life?
Go this way and not that?
Marry this person,
take that job,
have these types of friends?
Perhaps that is not the important question.

I think it is what keeps a marriage going,
or allows someone to grow in a chosen vocation;
and those in ones life,
keeping friendships that allow growth,
that is the key.

For what draw us might not be the ultimate reason for staying or keeping,
it is the new reasons that come to the fore as time goes by,
as we learn or not,
that is what keeps one going for good or ill.

Either we learn or we don't,
cycles unending of pain
or a ever widening sense of freedom.

One path takes courage,
the other dominated by fear
in the end
we all choose,
and yes make serious mistakes,
hopefully in the end
our choices are well made,
with the coming of wisdom well earned.