BARRIER OR BRIDGE?

In this sometimes, frustrating world, we could all use some perspective. Quite often, we get frustrated and either lash out or give up. Why not look at the situation as a bridge rather than a barrier?

In many situations, frustration can actually bring forth ideas and solutions - positive ideas and solutions. I remember working for a large software manufacturing company when the president of the company came in and began to write onto the whiteboard. He said "shout out the list of software bugs". We did and he wrote them onto the whiteboard. When we finished listing the bugs, he drew a vertical line so the bugs where listed on the left side leaving the right hand column blank. Atop the right hand column he wrote "Features". Then he announced that no one would be able to leave the room until all of the bugs on the left side where identified as features on the right side. A very frustrating exercise. We accomplished the goal in a matter of hours. And yes, it was frustrating. But if forced us all to look closer at the task at hand but better than simply renaming the bugs as features, we were able to resolve most of the bugs and finally release the software to the market.

What the President did here was force a group of folks who weren't working very well together and create a boiling point so solutions could be found. I've learned that when I'm working on a project and I become frustrated that if I stop and take a deep breath I will soon realize that a breakthrough is about to occur.

In consideration of my current health challenges, I find myself looking towards my faith. Yes, my health is a horrible barrier towards what it is I want to do and be. But I really have little control other than my perspective. As it relates to faith I believe God is trying to get my attention. And boy does he ever have my attention. More importantly, I've been able to witness some great things since I've fallen in last February. People who've never prayed before are praying for me. People are more open in sharing their own love, stories, pain, worry and grief.

Yes, I have my challenges and life is not at all what I want it to be. But rather than sit facing my burdens with anger or frustration, I spend quiet time searching for the meaning of it all. I am often surprised as to the bridges of opportunity that are before me. For instance, I love photography. So I've been able to look through my many photos and come up with some ideas where I may be able to earn some income from them. This blog -- hopefully this blog touches someone or give someone a reason to stop and think - think a bit differently than they once did. Maybe it is all so simple. A time to reflect. A time to be. A time to be grateful and celebrate what I do have. There's always someone worse off.

So, are you facing and fighting with barriers or are you building bridges? Even if you don't know how to build the bridge, keep trying. You'll surprise yourself. You can't scream at the barrier hoping it fall down while at the same time planning, retooling and building the bridge towards your answer, your solution, your purpose.

As someone once told me: "Stop telling the God how big your mountains are and start telling your mountains how big your God is. That's faith. That's bridge building. Keep building and live blessed!