On this particular afternoon, I arrived at the canoes early and waited for the campers. It didn’t take long, as two young middle school-aged campers ventured over to the dock and asked to take a ride. Since these two boys were older campers, and the conditions on the lake were calm, I agreed to let them paddle. Looking forward to an easy ride, I slide into the middle of the vessel and shoved us away from the dock.
After thirty minutes of fun paddling around the lake, the boys decided that they wanted to return to shore to go swimming. As we started on our return journey, the breeze suddenly picked up. Within a few seconds it became apparent that we were in trouble. Each time we tried to head toward the shore, the wind and waves would push us back out. No matter how hard we tried, we could not get to the dock.
This went on for about ten minutes. At that point we made the decision to start shouting and waving for help. Rather than hear our distress call, those who saw us waved back. They thought that we were just having a good time, and wanted others to know it.
Eventually, another counselor on the lake paddled over to us. He had been having trouble getting back to the dock as well. After some discussion, we both decided to take our belts and lash the canoes together, so we could use our combine resources to paddle to shore. However, the wind kept getting stronger and pushed both canoes further out into the lake.
Finally, exhausted from the paddling, and a little frightened, the other counselor and I made a decision. Rather than fight the wind and waves, we would just allow them to take us where they may. After a couple of minutes, we found ourselves in a quiet cove. Shielded from the wind, we unlashed the canoes and paddled along the shore line until we reached the dock.
Many times in life, we find ourselves hitting barriers. The harder we try to overcome these barriers, the more we get pushed back. As we continue to break through these barriers, one of two things happens.
- We keep pushing until we wear down the barrier. While we may win, bruises, scars, and hurt feelings are usually outcomes of the continued battle.
- You get worn down and quit. Rather than continue the fight, you chose to walk away or you accept your fate and just go through the motions…never to try overcoming the barrier again.
Rather than continue banging your head, learn from my canoe experience. As we soon realized that day, the direct route to our goal (i.e. getting to the dock) was not possible. When we relaxed and started looking for another option, one was presented to us…an option that allowed us to still realize our goal, only through a different path.
If you are experiencing barriers in your own life, step back, relax, take some time to calm your mind, and open your eyes. When you do this you might be surprised to find that the path to your ultimate goal has been before you all along. You just failed to see it because you were so focused on the barrier itself.