4 Strategies to Take When Your Path is Blocked

Hiking is our favorite way to immerse ourselves in Nature.  The trees, birds, green and silence  does the soul good.

So, we try to plan outdoor adventures  in the woods when we walk the dogs.  These are usually shorter hikes, as our favorite pooch is getting older, but she likes the paths we take and the earth smells of  leaves and maybe even a rabbit or two makes her very curious and happy.

On a sunny wintry day, one of our nearby favorite trails around a pond beckoned us. So, we headed out to enjoy a respite from the rain.   The trail follows the Tualatin river and is lovely and we were hoping we would spot a few birds.

The path was damp and muddy, and we were wise to wear our  boots.  As we headed down the familiar path, about a ½ mile in we were disappointed when we saw tape preventing us from going farther.  It read “ Trail flooded”.

The  river had overflown the banks.  It is always a little strange to see trees inside the river, as if magically growing in water.  We stopped as the perspective played mind games with us, but the bottom line was that we could go no farther.    Our way was blocked.

And it made me think of how we are often blocked in our journey of life, professionally and personally. Our objective thwarted by some unforeseen barrier or challenge.  Stopped in our tracks, we are driven to rethink our original direction.   Seems this is one of the true tests of RESILIENCY.  A  time to pause and reconsider  “what to do” in that moment. A time to reboot.

What we have learned is that in challenge is there is opportunity.  Here are 3 ideas to consider next time your path is blocked

1.       Turn around and return and acknowledge that this direction  may not be the right one for you --- at this time.  Respect and honor this message.

2.       Get creative and consider different ways to reach where you are going.  Try another path and find other opportunities with a new route.

3.       Use this obstacle or challenge as an excellent  opportunity to problem solve in collaboration with others.  The sum is greater than a single part.

4.       Stop, pause, observe and practice mindfulness .   Take time to experience the moment and reflect. How do you feel?  Can you let go of frustration or maybe even anger about the barrier or challenge ?

With every challenge, when we seem blocked, there are lessons. 

RESILIENCY!