It seems that the moment we find ourselves in the place we think we want to be, something gets in our way. No matter how good things seem, no matter how straight the road seems to be going, there’s always more roadblocks and things coming along our path to “mess it up”.
The truth is that we’re always going to be facing obstacles. Whether they are with work, relationships, or personal goals, obstacles are going to keep coming along our path. I’ve realized that it’s not such a bad thing and that obstacles are not just a part of our lives, but they are, in fact, what MAKES our lives. If everything is completely straightforward, if there are no questions, something is wrong. That means that we’re not challenging ourselves and we’re not making the important decisions.
Just when we think we’ve figured everything out, we realize we haven’t figured it out at all. We start to shift our perspective and see just how little we actually know. The moment we get somewhere we realize how far away we really are from where we need to go.
If we’re not facing any struggles in our lives that means we’re probably not moving much. If everything comes easily for us we’re not really growing and we’re not pushing ourselves to new places.
The most important, valuable, and meaningful things in our lives are the things that we’ve worked the hardest to attain. The best things in life don’t come easily, so if we’re struggling to find the answer or if something doesn’t come quickly for us, that just means we have more work to do.
If we’re working towards something and it just isn’t happening for us, that’s telling us one of two things. Sometimes it could be telling us that maybe we are on the entirely wrong path or that what we’re doing isn’t right for us. However, most of the time, if our heart is truly in it, these obstacles remind us that we are doing something that matters.
Just as we find ourselves in that place of uncertainty, of discouragement, of questioning, we can take a step back and recognize that we are in the process of growth. The fact that we are still here and that we are recognizing this tells us that we are on the verge of something important.
It means that we have more to figure out. It means that whatever it is we are searching for or working for is worthwhile. It may seem like these roadblocks keep getting in our way, but they help us remember that we are still moving. With each new roadblock, we learn new ways to navigate and reroute if necessary. Even if we get a little lost on the way, we always keep going.
I’ve been facing a lot of challenges lately. The answers haven’t been coming to me easily. Life keeps presenting me with more questions and uncertainties. Sometimes I just want a sign or something to tell me that I’m headed in the right direction or that I’m making the right choices. Sometimes I just wish things would fall into place and that things would work themselves out but life never works that way. Life is full of questions and we can keep looking to the universe for answers, but at the end of the day, we have to keep doing the hard work.
It’s easy to give up or change our minds when things start to get rocky. It’s easy to run away or try a new path. What’s difficult is staying still when it stops being so straightforward and clear. The biggest challenge is having faith in our path even when it gets hard and seeing that the obstacles we face are part of our journey.
Obstacles are part of life. Any form of growth comes with struggle. So if you are working hard and things keep getting in your way, that’s not such a bad thing. That means you’re living and you’re growing. If everything came easily to us all the time, we wouldn’t get anywhere. We couldn’t possibly accomplish anything. I’ve been reminded lately of what it feels like to challenge myself and work towards something new.
Whether it be related to our own personal or spiritual growth, our relationships, our careers or our passions, obstacles are what remind us that we’re progressing and evolving. No matter how tough it may get or how discouraged we may feel along the way, we keep going.
Making Mindful 