Obstacles ARE the Path…Say What?

“Obstacles do not block the path. They are the path.”

– Zen proverb

It has taken me decades to wrap my wee mind around this simple concept.

But once I did, my life changed dramatically because I changed…for the better.

Why?

Because once I finally began to perceive obstacles (internal and external) as integral components of my journey — versus annoying barriers holding me back from getting where I wanted to go — I was able to understand that obstacles were in my path for a reason.

“Every obstacle is there to teach you, rather than bring you down.”

– Brittany Lynne, “You Got This,” meditation on Insight Timer

Obstacles teach us what we need to know, when we need to know it, so that we CAN get to where we want to go…by becoming the person we need to be for when we get there.

“But obstacles slow me down!” perhaps you’re saying. Yes…and that’s probably a very good thing. You may need to be slowed down — either to stop you from moving in a certain direction that isn’t in your best interest, or maybe so that you can learn a critical lesson, skill, or tidbit of intel before moving on to the next leg of your journey.