Obstacles

There are always times when obstacles appear in our lives.    They may slow us down. They may stop us. Either way, they can be very frustrating.

It is inevitable that in our journey of life, obstacles or "stones" will appear on our path. These stones may be small as pebbles, or as large as mountains. Avoiding or ignoring these obstacles are temporary solutions. Chances are, if you choose to avoid or ignore them, they will reappear on your path again. The thought of "You can run, but you can't hide" may echo in your mind.

Facing these obstacles is the only real way to get past them. These stones can either be obstacles, or the stepping stones of opportunity. It is your choice how to perceive them. See a stone as an obstacle and it can be. See a stone as an opportunity, and it will be. This, of course, is easy for one to say when it isn't their stone.

Recognizing the true nature of the obstacle is critical.  You may want to ask yourself if the obstacle is necessary in order to move forward or identifying whether or not the obstacle is really yours. It may be that you have actually personified an obstacle of another and manifested it to be your own.  An example of this may be if a close friend or family member is experiencing a difficult time and has become depressed. They borrow your shoulders trying to get through the darkness and soon, you begin to analyze your own life. You see similarities and before you know what is happening, you have placed an obstacle in front of you that was never needed.

Sizing up the obstacle is also critical. It is normal when in the emotions and feelings of shock and panic, that we fail to see if we are facing the proverbial mountain, or a molehill. Sized correctly, an obstacle is much more manageable.

Obstacles also provide us lessons. Lessons are not always welcomed.  Obstacles are often the harbingers of change. Change is not always comfortable, but inevitable. In many instances, we will realize that a "one day" has come. You know this self-talk. "One day, I will ______(fill in the blank). As we all know, no one is guaranteed a "one day". It may be that the "one day" is now.

With the appearance of obstacles, the negative comes out strongly. This is not a bad thing. Without negative, we would never know positive. In fact, it is positive to acknowledge the negative. Writing down both views is an effective tool when facing obstacles. It allows you to see all the possibilities and opportunities that are being afforded to you.

Standing at the bottom of a mountain and looking up can be very humbling. Remember, what you see with your eyes is only the outward appearance. As you face the challenge of obstacles, challenge yourself as well.

Obstacles,