In running cross country, there are hills, valleys, and plateaus, twists, turns, uneven ground, shady spots, sunny patches… spots that are easy to navigate and those that make muscles ache and lungs gasp. Just like life. When I face a steep hill, I can inwardly groan and panic, wondering how or if I’ll make it up the hill, remembering how hard it was last time and dreading every second. Or I can remove the hill. I can tell myself it’s not that difficult, not that steep, the downhill is just ahead, remember that the incline is easier on the knees and gives my calf muscles a stretch. The hill – or any challenge or obstacle – is only an obstacle if you tell yourself it is.
What’s your hill today? Big meeting, unpaid bills, long commute, important interview, difficult conversation… those “obstacles” can be difficult, challenging, troublesome, laborious. Or they can be nothing but the wind in your hair. You choose.