Yesterday, barriers and obstacles were very much on my mind.
What are the barriers to our getting what we want or need? What obstacles get in the way of our moving forward, and why? How do we judge ourselves and others, when we encounter these? And are there other, more helpful ways to view these situations?
As usual, when something is on my mind, I see evidence and examples, everywhere I look.
Barriers sometimes get in the way of seeing clearly, figuring out what’s ahead:
Sometimes, we just can’t figure out what’s there, no matter how we look at it:
No matter what’s in front of you, there’s no shame in asking for more information, or other types of help.
Some obstacles can appear suddenly, leaving no room to proceed as planned:
With other unexpected obstacles, sometimes we can see a way to stay our course, by slightly altering our steps.
Obstacles can seem different, depending upon our perspective:
For example, stairs are more tiring for me these days, so I see them differently. However, the stairs are the same as they ever were. I just need to go more slowly, negotiating them.
Something might stop us, temporarily:
But if we wait patiently, and proceed with care, we can keep moving forward.
Sometimes, people might seem to be blocking our way.
However, we might be over-rating a person’s importance and permanence, in our lives.
If we give somebody too much power, we might lose track of what surrounds us.
Speaking for myself, I tend to focus on problematic people — their thoughts, their actions, the harm they might possibly do.
It helps to let go of worry about that (and other things):
It also helps to focus on supportive people around you:
… even if you can’t come up with many names, initially. Chances are, there’s a team nearby
… even if they’re difficult to recognize, at first.
Sometimes, obstacles can block our ability to see the most obvious things around,
but going a short distance can help us see more of what’s there.
And while there might be lots of things telling us not to proceed,
… sometimes we just have to cross a line, and keep on going.
Thanks to all those who deal with barriers and obstacles as best they can, to supportive people everywhere (named Mark or otherwise), to the guys at my parking garage (who have told me that bird poop on my car is lucky), to creatures that poop, to anybody who needs help interpreting anything I ever write or say (because of inevitable barriers to communication), and to you — especially! — for overcoming any obstacles to get here, today.