Obstacles or Opportunities

Obstacles or opportunities…

I know we are all familiar with that philosophy. (In fact, most of you reading this could elaborate on it way better than I can.) But my grandson reminded me afresh this past weekend that our perception really can be key as we journey through this life. While at the local trampoline park he decided that the walls around the jump areas were challenging opportunities as opposed to restrictive barriers. In his mind they weren’t there to keep him in. Instead, they were there to add additional adventure to the existing obstacle. And so, with no concern for his ability, height, or age; he set himself to the task of jumping high enough to grab the edge and pull himself up.

Did he succeed? Not today. More importantly, I should say… not yet 🙂 But he walked away with a smile and 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆. The best part was his words to me, “Pa, I’m gonna get bigger and do it next time.” In his mind it was only a matter of time and the resolve to try again. He would get larger and better equipped while the problem remained merely constant. Today’s failure would eventually become tomorrow’s victory.

As I reflect on his frantic attempt to scale that wall and meditate on his perspective, I realize that the main difference between he and I is one of outlook. He sees giants waiting to be defeated. He sees obstacles begging to be overcome. He sees eventual success if he just refuses to give up. I can only speak for myself but as 2024 draws to a close I can’t think of a better mindset for the upcoming year. Make the most of every opportunity… Success is waiting. Just need to keep moving forward and keep trying.