How can a runner encounter a hurdle up ahead, stay upright, keep her stride, leap over the hurdle, keep running, and stay in the race? It is an amazing feat of concentration and athleticism!
Obviously, the runner is trained, practiced, and in top physical and mental condition. Hurdle racing reveals athleticism and the indomitable human spirit at it finest.
Perhaps this sport is a good analogy for life itself.
Life presents many hurdles to overcome from the beginning. Even our birth is a huge obstacle course! As a toddler, we are presented obstacles to overcome as we learn to walk and navigate our environment. As we continue to grow, the obstacles get bigger.
As an adult, we've already overcome many obstacles, but they don't stop. Career challenges, raising a family, and helping aging parents are major hurdles to navigate. Just when we believe we can relax and coast for a while, looming up ahead is another huge hurdle! A health crisis! Here we go again!
The hurdles never seem to stop as we age. Perhaps death is our final hurdle to leap over.
As I look back over my life and all the hurdles in my path, it's tempting to think I was alone facing each challenge. It's true that I did have to navigate and jump over the hurdle myself. But how many people were cheering me on as I ran that particular race?
Looking back, I realize there were always loving people around me who were available for coaching and counsel. I didn't always take advantage of these resources. Like a two-year old I'd think or say, "My can do it myself!" Loving eyes would watch from the sidelines as I did it myself.
I'm grateful for each one who was there for me in the hard times when those hurdles were mighty high and it took a herculean effort to navigate them. I'm grateful for the ones who picked me up when I fell down and couldn't finish that race. I'm grateful for the ones who held my hand and looked at me with love when I had failed. I'm grateful for the ones who held me when I cried.
This pandemic has brought home to me how connected we all are. We are each facing hurdles, but we can reach out loving hands to one another. That's what I want to do. Here. Now.
Interconnected, we are stronger emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Think about this. Loving hands and loving hearts are all around us as we each navigate the obstacle course called life. I want to connect with the loving hearts around me and take the loving hands extended to me. Spiritually, there is a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on. I want to be tapped into their love and support.
Interconnected, we have everything we need to jump that next hurdle. For that understanding, my heart rejoices.
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| Path to ocean at Folly Beach on May 7, 2020 |
