Communication and Crossroads

Crossroads are funny things. They can be challenging, a bit intimidating, and pretty imposing. Which way do we go? Left or right? Door number one or door number two? Poet Robert Frost suggested we take "the road not taken" while many others, in less celebrated ways, have said to take the path that is more tried and true or even the one of least resistence. There is wisdom in each of these. The point is we all face crossroads in our lives. As a result, we are all faced with making decisions - big and small - that impact our days and even our lives. The trick is to be as well equipped as possible to make a sound choice when we do find ourselves at times when these kind of decisions are made.

Communication can help give us those tools. An example is what will be happening at colleges and universities throughout the country over the next two months: graduation ceremonies. Young men and women will be receiving their well-earned diplomas. Many will find themselves at a crossroads as what direction they should proceed in the next phase of their lives. Of those people, however, this choice will be easier than it is for others. In large part, it is because of the information they have collected over their years in college.

By working with faculty and other students and collecting and digesting information from an array of sources - all aspects of communication - these individuals have a sense of which choice they wish to make. They feel fortified. They feel ready to make a choice. Often times making decisions can be a lonely experience. But connecting with others and gathering experience by working with others can go a long way toward transforming crossroads from dilemmas into opportunities.