"Obstacles"

"Defeat may test you; it need not stop you. If at first you don't succeed, try another way. For every obstacle there is a solution. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. The greatest mistake is giving up." - Anonymous

In life many times a person is confronted with difficult situations. These situations may easily be subdued and life goes on. But, a situation becomes an obstacle when in life's race you have to carry this burdensome issue with you until either it has worked itself out or you have put positive energies into working it out. I will be the first to tell you that neither avenue is an easy one. It is as if you know what needs to happen to relieve yourself of your burden yet you don't have the sufficient resources at present to effect change. Or it could be that something deep inside you tells you that even if you do use the proper energies that the situation will not change but that it will add more to your burden.

More specifically though, people can prove themselves an obstacle to you. For almost 2 years now I have been struggling with just such an obstacle. Just lately it has been my determination not to allow anyone to have an influence on me that make me harbor resentment. Easier said than done! More times than not the offender feels that mercy should be extended, though when they were committing the offense they had no regard for the other person. Then also if you are genuinely trying to be a good person, then you feel obligated to respond with such forgiveness. Yet, the same situation continues to recur. At what point do you digress and set firm boundaries for this person or group of people? If you know me then you know that this decision is one that will be made sooner than later. I have a more direct way of handling situations like this. Usually, the offenders will try to make you look like a monster of sorts because you refuse to budge even a millimeter on the stance you've taken. But didn't we just establish that their pattern of behavior is recurring. I can not speak for anyone else, but myself. I cut people like this off at the knees. I deal only with difficulties I have to deal with. Extra anxieties are the first ones to go. Yet, I will admit the manner in which I choose to cut individuals off is vicious to say the least. But in my defense I am a very patient individual. I believe in change over time, but I won't accept a second of disrespect, especially from those who are judgmental. Everyone who has worked hard to get where they are can understand me quite clearly. A person who sees you working hard and would rather tear you down mentally and emotionally does not deserve the courtesy of being spoken to or treated with dignity because they don't afford you any. Sadly, I have even had to bar these individuals from my house completely. This was done to drive home the point that I am the head of my house and any decisions that are made will come through me or they will meet with unimaginable opposition. To the point where when they visit they sit outside in their vehicles parked in the street. However, they wish to handle the situation, just know that I mean business.

But in the midst of all of this I can not help but to think that if I reacted like they do, it would make you no better than them.