Jan 07 2008
Over, Around or Through?
Co. Mayo, Ireland Photo by Natasha Reilly
As you look at this photo, where does your mind take you? Does the mountain inspire, excite or intrigue you? Or do you find it daunting? Do you wonder if the road will lead around the mountain, over it or does it simply stop?
Obstacles come in all shapes and sizes. They can be physical barriers or mental ones. When I stop to look at my life and the obstacles I face, I find that the largest one is often me. I am the main obstacle in my way. From time to time, I pile things like time, money, self-doubt, and worry, just to name a few, one on top of the other until they are an insurmountable mountain of excuses preventing me from accomplishing anything.
Create a representation of your own obstacle. Draw it, write it, knit it, paint it, or make a collage that represents it. Be honest with yourself. What obstacle or obstacles are holding you back from making your dream come true? Will you go around it or through it?
Today, I’m going to blow a hole right through all my excuses and sit down and write. Look, I just did.
The picture reminds me of Iceland in September, believe it or not and so instead of seeing an obstacle, I see a wonderful bold beautiful mountain (I’m a mountain person…vs. beach person etc… it’s my thing). I just want to go drive closer to it and stand it it’s presence and feel the space that is created between mountains…stand at the top and get the view…and breath in that good mountain air.
and hey, if the snow falls…maybe ski down it!
Obstacles? dunno. right now I have a lot of roads that go around mountains, but not so many direct obstacles I would say.
My biggest obstacle is probably not reaching out enough and taking a risk or complementing people. I’m starting with my daughter, because we all need to praise women more at every age, and because I can so instantly see the effect on her, but really, my goal is to be more positive and complimentary to everyone – not randomly I might add, just when it’s in my head and I think about not sharing it… I’m going to try more to spit it out…
It reminds me of the show M.A.S.H. in the beginning when the helicopters fly over the mountain…..man I loved that show….
JPH
Is that uncle sean on top of the mountain????
O – I didn’t realize it was Mayo, me mammy is from Mayo….a wee farm snuggled between the towns of Ballyhaunis and Clairemorris.
JPH