Time and time again over the course of our lives, you and I are going to come across obstacles that seem insurmountable. It may be painful to admit, but it’s true: every single one of us here today (and tomorrow, and tomorrow) is going to face moments when the choices before us seem too hard, the pain too much to bear, and our perceived societal- or self-boundaries impossible to overcome.
One of you, for example, might face the dilemma of your family rejecting your life partner because said partner doesn’t share your family’s belief system. This prospective love-of-your-life might, say, think it’s more important to watch the NFL than Wimbledon, or might prefer cats to dogs. It could seem like your parents will never sanction your relationship, and that the relationship is therefore doomed from the start.
Another of you might be out at dinner one night when a bowl of mushroom risotto four times the size of your head is placed on the table. You might feel sure your spoon will never scrape the bottom of the bowl, no matter how hard you try (and how much you eat).
Or you might wake up one morning and be unable to get out of bed. The sun might be burning away in a cloudless sky but all you’ll want to do is cry and lie there, still, still, still, desperately hoping no one will notice while, at the same time, all you’ll want is for someone to walk in the door and rest their hand on your face, quietly.
I know how paralysing it can be to feel hopeless. To feel like what’s blocking your path is too big to be defeated.
But I’m here to tell you, to promise you, to show you that no matter how big the obstacle before you seems to be, you can get past it.
Let’s just say, hypothetically speaking, that your life can be characterised as a walk with your mother through the woodlands surrounding a garden nursery in Canberra. That all the good things in your life are symbolised by chattering and laughing with your mother, until… BOOM. Suddenly the path you were on, the life you were leading, seems to stop short before you. Let’s just say, for the purposes of this metaphor, that your life-impediment is A Big Fallen Tree Almost As Tall On Its Side As You Are Standing Up.
Do you (should you) give up, turn around, retrace your steps, and submit to a life of fumbled hopes, fading dreams, and ever-familiar surroundings that never put you out of your comfort zone?
Well? Do you? Should you?
Absolutely, positively, absolutely not.
The only thing worth doing in life is getting on with it. And sometimes that means hitching up your skirt (or shorts), reaching one hand as far across the obstacle as you can, and hoisting yourself up and over what, at first, you thought you weren’t brave enough to conquer.
Sure, you might look terribly undignified whilst struggling to overcome that which was trying to force you back, but I promise, promise, promise you…
The effort is worth it.
Because afterwards, you’ll get to smell the flowers.
And sometimes, once you’ve made it, there’s cake.
Thank you for being inspirational and goofy all at once!
You’re welcome
Goofiness will out…
But where pray tell are the pics of your mother getting over this impediment to life’s forward progress??? Or did she choose the path less travelled and go around?
Nope, there was no going around it, but someone had to be first to show the way didn’t they – oh, and to take the photos of those that followed. It was I must say, a bit of a challenge – getting over it that is, not the taking of the photos!
That’s my mum – the trail-blazer!
As mum says, we absolutely couldn’t go around. It was a massive tree, and each end was far away and in deep scrub. I never should have handed her my bag and camera to keep safe while I made the scramble over though…
And that last comment doesn’t even deign a reply!
What a beuatiful post
Thank you Lisa
I thought of you when I read the following article. You might hate me after this comment, but LOOK—> http://gizmodo.com/5685499/were-running-out-of-chocolate AHHHHHHHH! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
I could never hate you! In fact, I’m honoured to be thought of when you come across an article about chocolate. Four people so far have sent me articles about this
That’s good to hear that you don’t hate me after that.
I should have added above that I loved your post! You mix the inspirational and the humor so well. 
Thanks so much, Jess
oh what a great post and message!
Thank you so much!
As much as I’d like to believe that this post was somehow inspired or influenced by my weekend Facebook whining, I couldn’t really think that
Beautiful, beautiful post, Hannah – that part near the top about not being able to get out of bed? That hits home. I know the feeling precisely. I love your positivity – I hope you’re looking toward your own future with eyes this bright. 
I hoped you might read this post as quiet support for you
To be honest I had a completely different angle for this post in mind before I wrote it, but when I started typing it took this form, which I know is partly because of thinking of you. 
I’m really, really glad that it did speak to you in some way… that’s all I can ask for
Once, an enormous bowl of mushroom soup was placed in front of me. It was at a dinner party when I was 17, and my friend’s mum had put a huge amount of effort into cooking an amazing 3-course dinner. But my friend had forgotten to mention that I absolutely LOATHE mushrooms. It felt like the world’s largest bowl of soup. But I fought my way through it, and I finished it, and I didn’t offend my friend’s mum, and I was glad.
And then another friend who was present and who knew about my hatred of mushrooms took me aside… and got angry at me for purposefully going out of my way to eat something I hated, which apparently was offensive behaviour because the mother would have been offended if she later found out that I hated mushrooms and would therefore think that I’d been sitting there eating mushroom soup and thinking “I hate this”, which is offensive.
The moral of the story is: you can’t please everyone, and also, I like mushrooms now, but still not in soup format.
Wow… no wonder you still don’t like mushroom soup. It represent an absolute minefield of politeness/rudeness to you! Can’t believe your friend’s take on it… I mean, I kinda see her point, but not in the sense that the host could be offended by you having tried so hard not to offend her!
Also… mushrooms are awesome and I haven’t had them in far too long. Except for in those recent muffins, but somehow I don’t think that counts.
I loved reading this post! Such a great story, I was hoping to find a recipe for that gorgeous looking chocolate cake, hopefully next time
Thank you! Alas, that chocolate cake was eaten out, so there’s no recipe. If you want recipes for sweet things, though, there are a plethora on this blog already!
How lovely to get to read another side of Hannah, a lovely post and kinda inspirational too, thanks
Thank you, Anna. You’re right, it’s not often I’m mildly serious here, so it is a rather new side to be showing!
Thanks hun.
You’re so more than welcome. I was thinking of you a little bit while writing this, too
*hugs*
hehe Hannah you are cute and inspirational at the same time!
Aw, thanks! Means a lot
The Gospel according to Hannah!
Darn tootin’!
Awww, you! I was a little fearful that I would somehow fall for someone one day who preferred NFL to Wimbledon (surely that can’t happen can it?? Will I ever be that blinded by love?), then quite smug at the thought that a mere bowl of risotto would never stump me, then I went a little quiet… I know that feeling, I am sure we all do… and then I was thinking that someone needs to stump that tree with some risotto.
I like your shirt.
I wish none of us ever had to have that feeling, but at least we can know that we’re not alone when we do.
Hmm… perhaps if we ever do fall for NFL-lovin’ men, we should simply look at it as an opportunity to cook snack-foods every time there’s a final on?
And thank you! I love it too – it’s really soft, floaty fabric, and was ridiculously cheap from New York
That’s quite the tree stump! And I always feel like not getting out of bed… meh, I’m lazy.
As long as it’s just laziness and not doom-and-gloom, I think you’re fine
Aw. *HUG* The tree stump thing is an excellent metaphor (and, if you’re unfortunate while out hiking, an occasional reality)
Thanks Laura
But what is this “hiking” you speak of? Does it involve sugar and butter? Otherwise I’m out. 
Pingback: Tweets that mention Overcoming Obstacles In Life. Because We Can, Always. - Wayfaring Chocolate -- Topsy.com
This was very beautiful and very cute and very funny all at the same time. Impressive! But the the photos of you climbing over the tree are the best. Okay, who am I kidding. The cake is the best bit. I like cake.
How can I compete with cake?
And thanks, Vaala. It means a lot!
Warm & fuzzy feelings, Hannah. I especially love this bit (with the picture
) “Sure, you might look terribly undignified whilst struggling to overcome that which was trying to force you back, but I promise, promise, promise you…The effort is worth it. Because afterwards, you’ll get to smell the flowers.” So nice, so true.
Heidi xo
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Heidi
Means a lot!
Also, I seem to note you are wearing boots. Actual boots. Surely this should also be considered somewhat an achievement?
Yes indeedy-do! These are my bung-foot heels – they protect my toe from any rain, but are roomy enough to not put pressure in bad-pressure places. Thank you for noticing, you who saw the birkenstocks-plastic in all its glory!
Honey I loved this post and I loved the fact your mum commented even more! I promise you that email when I hit dry land and get back to Oz hope that’s ok? Xxx
my first reaction was – did your mum take the photos? I see in above comments that yes she took charge of the camera. Maybe she was remembering your childhood climbing if you were anything like Sylvia!
As for marrying into a family not sharing beliefs – yes I confess to being from a dog family and marrying into a cat family – so I know how huge obstacles can be!
I absolutely was like Sylvia in that regard! I think I once wrote on this blog about my tendency to climb so high up trees I couldn’t get down…
*gasp* You married into a cat family, and didn’t make them change their minds and become dog-people? Oh no!
Too bad you didn’t pack a chainsaw in your handbag. Who wants to climb when you can blaze your way through? :p
Why, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this. Adding “buy chainsaw” to my to-do list for tomorrow right now…
Such beautiful words, thanks. Sometimes there are those days where everything just seems insurmountable and it’s easier to just burrow yourself in bed all day, but I guess there’s hope (and cake) on the other side of our obstacles.
You’re so welcome. Sometimes we all just need to remember it’s worth it to keep going, I think
As long as there’s always cake 
Awesome. And perfect timing. xxx
Surprisingly, this turned out to be good timing for a lot of people, myself included! Serendipity
Pingback: Choceur Marzipan Chocolate - Wayfaring Chocolate
Pingback: Glimpses of Canberra, The Fairytale Edition - Wayfaring Chocolate
Pingback: White Chocolate and Macadamia Blondies To Cure Heartache - Wayfaring Chocolate
Pingback: It All Comes Back to the Indian Dancing - Wayfaring Chocolate