May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.

-John O’Donohue, “A Morning Offering”

If you are going somewhere, then you will meet opposition, an obstacle.

Encountering an obstacle does not mean the path is wrong.

If you were going nowhere, then nothing would be an obstacle. The river would be a river. You would simply stop or do something else.

If you want something on the other side of the river, then the river becomes an obstacle. The river is not trying to stop you, nor is your goal taunting you by being on the other side of the river. These things simply are, and what feelings arise say more about yourself in the moment than a broader truth.

If, on encountering the river, you decide there is no way across and it is impossible, then you surrender the goal and the river becomes a river again.

If, on encountering the river, you spend your energy fighting the river for interfering with your goal, you will squander your energy and fail to meet your goal.

If your goal is truly in line with your will, then use your energy wisely. Contemplate another path, or learn the nature of the river to consider how you can use it to help you reach the goal.

If your goal is not worth navigating this obstacle, then it is not truly your goal.