Dangerous Business - walking out your front door

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

When challenged with finding my favorite quote (that is not a bible verse) the first quote that came to mind was the one listed above. Lord of the Rings is my favorite book and the way JRR Tolkien can make you think and ponder bigger questions with simple words amazes me.

Bilbo in this quote is talking to his young heir as his mentor and is warning him that the simple task of walking out your front door could turn into something so much bigger. Bilbo of course would be the one to know this since simply walking out his front door quickly one morning led him on the adventure of a lifetime which of course involved a very famous dragon.

This is not an idle phrase that Bilbo shares with Frodo. He wants to remind the young hobbit that though it may seem harmless and carefree just walking out your front door, there is a much bigger world out there and if you are not careful you could get swept away into it.

Frodo of course reflects on this quote as he is being swept away on an adventure of his own. It reminds me that sometimes the most profound words we hear hold no meaning to us until we are amongst tragedy.

Though I have loved this quote from the first time I read The Fellowship of the Ring and even have it hanging on my wall at work I feel that I relate to it more so in the present time. I find myself, like Bilbo in his later years, longing for the road to sweep me away to strange places and on adventures. Instead of hearing the cautionary tale in Mr. Baggins words I’m hearing the sweet voice of his Took side enticing me to take the road less traveled.

So here is to watching one’s feet so that you won’t be swept dangerously off into the unknown……at least not until you are ready.