Yes there are certain paths you can close off entirely by taking one path versus another, and yes, they can preclude you having experiences that you truly meant to have. But that is the risk you take when the veil is drawn and you gain free will but lose your foresight.
To take a very simple example, you are offered your choice of vanilla or chocolate ice cream and you take chocolate and eat your cone. You have cut off the vanilla experience for that particular choice. You may, in the future, be offered vanilla ice cream again, or you may not. Some decisions mean taking a certain road and leaving behind another road for good.
And yes, you can use your free will to try to attract people or situations to you that can help you find your cheese faster or help you navigate the maze. Steve's articles or perhaps mine as well could be considered "buying a map to the maze" so to speak.
