Day 6

Facing Obstacles was not something I handled well for most of my life. Avoid, avoid, avoid.. that was my answer. Especially with money. I just kept pushing the problems further down the road and prayed they would figure themselves out. In my new way at looking at life, I now viewed my money worries as a chance to change. I could see our spending habits and I could now see a way to make improvements. Which we did! As I’ve said before, we are living debt free. Total freedom! I’m SO on top of our financial situation it’s actually fun.

Another area where I constantly would and still do hit obstacles is my neck and back issues. I see these obstacles as reminders to exercise in the correct way. This is really about discipline for me. As an Upholder, I tend to “tighten” (see previous posts regarding the Four Tendencies). Which means I make rules beyond the rules. I can and have taken things to the extreme. My current battle with this is with my yoga practice. I LOVE yoga. So, so much. The upholder in me wants to practice every single day, perfect the poses I can do and learn to do the more difficult poses, attend every workshop and go off on yoga retreats with my studio. And if I actually did all those things my neck and back would flare up pretty badly. Yoga is FANTASTIC for my spine issues, however, too much of a good thing is not a good thing. I have to balance it. On my calendar I have 2 days carved out for strengthening of some kind. Kettlebells or other strength training. I have 4 days dedicated to yoga and one day for a hike or indoor track walk. It’s always an internal battle on those strength days. My head is saying “go to yoga again!” But, I have to remember it’s the strengthening that helped me get out of pain and keeps me going. Yoga has helped with the pain too, but in a different way. And 100% of the time, when I’m in my strengthening class I feel great and realize I should probably be doing it more.

The third area where I hit obstacles is with my kids. Don’t we all!! The bottom line is my kids are learning to be adults now. They are 17 and 20. I can’t save them from everything. The lessons learned at this age are big ones. Big kids, big issues. I’ve learned to be in the flow. I don’t work myself up about them like I used to. I’m not saying I don’t worry about them. I do. But it’s more of guiding them through than sitting back and worrying if that makes sense.

Deepak says that we should actually open ourselves up to obstacles. He says “There is a gift in every moment. Obstacles are not your enemy. Take a fresh look at the situation.” That is what I did with every one of those issues above.

This week take a look at any obstacles in your own life. How could you reframe them to see the grace and gifts they provide you?

Please comment below! Thanks for being here!