The Grasshopper has borrowed a phrase from author and psychiatrist, M. Scott Peck which reveals a choice that many ignore.

There is a fork in the road that most come upon in the second half of their life. It may not be recognized as a choice point, but it truly is.

At this crossroads, you get an invitation to go deeper. It may not be an engraved one but, nonetheless, it is presented. It may come in the form of restlessness or some sort of overall dissatisfaction with life.

This is your signpost to explore your depth. Most will stay on the surface and chase a cure for their dissatisfaction. Often, it is a chase after more of what culture has to offer.

As tasty as culture can be, it only offers empty calories. You cannot sate your soul with culture. It's like going on the Cheetos diet.

The saddest part about the culture fork is that people genuinely believe they are on a road to somewhere, yet they travel around in circles - usually with a like minded, equally lost, circle of friends.

Life becomes a quest pursuing what other people tell you are the new ways to find your elusive satisfaction.

The good news is you can return to that choice point you ignored at anytime and take the fork less traveled. Your depth is hidden in plain sight and is always available. You don't have to travel down a gilded path to find it.

The key to finding your depth is to, first, know it exists. It calls out to you every time you have a dark night of the soul. It's attempting to let you know there's a path where everything is taken care of. You just have to take steps toward it.

That means stepping away from the path to nowhere that's ladened with carrot sticks at every turn.

It's easy to find the shallow end of the pool. Just look where most people congregate and you've found it. You can choose to go in knee deep again, or you can walk the other path and immerse yourself in your depth.

The people who have the hardest time finding their depth are the ones who've been sold a bill of fare that it isn't there. They keep buying treasure maps from the people without treasure.

Cultural treats are meant to be enjoyed. When they become your sole quest, you have lost your soul.

The way back home is the fork less traveled.

All the best,

John