We Have to Get Over the Hump

Many have heard the term ‘hump day Wednesday’ – the middle of the week, the hurdle to cross over which indicates the end of the work week is near. Just two more days, and I can (fill in the blank). A hurdle is considered an obstacle to overcome before achieving a goal. It is also used in track and field competitions for runners to leap over. Avoiding the hurdle calls for immediate disqualification. Also, each type of race has different distances between each hurdle and the remaining distance to reach the finish line.

So it is in life. Each person will have shorter or longer distances between life’s hurdles and the finish line. So, excuse yourself from thinking you must maintain the same pace as others. They are thinking the same thing about you. I am learning to welcome some of life’s hurdles, for without them I cannot reach my finish line. Susan L. Taylor, former editorial director for Essence magazine once said, “You were created on purpose for a purpose.” My purpose gives meaning to the dash between my birth and my death. I want most to fulfill my destiny, my absolute purpose for being.

What happens when the hurdle is you? How do you move yourself out of the way towards progress and purpose for your life? We must honestly examine ourselves: the good, the bad and the ugly, and overcome the inward hurdles. We must also allow space to make mistakes, to sometimes falter and not fully conquer some of the hurdles.

The worst mistake that anyone can make is the one where the lesson is lost. Failures are sometimes hard to accept because failure is viewed as a personal weakness. However, failure is not a eulogy over your life. Failures are an opportune time to learn how to make improvements either to you, or to the process. Following the safe path to avert making a mistake is dull and predictable.

So, what gets you over the hurdles in life, when you are faced with a daunting task; a life altering decision; a seemingly insurmountable situation? One thing is true, but often hard to accept: some hurdles are strategically placed to help make us stronger, wiser, better and unbeatable!

"To dismiss failure is to dismiss an opportunity for genius to arise."