Roadblocks Have Nothing On You, My Friend

Several years ago, Melissa and I picked up a new hobby — geocaching. It’s a treasure hunt where you look for hidden containers in parks, forests, and even some cities using GPS. Through the Geocaching app on your phone, you can see how many are nearby wherever you are in the world.

In the caches, you’ll find a log book, trinkets, and small treasures — nothing of monetary value but fun to find nonetheless. It’s a great way to discover new green spaces and it’s a fun activity to do with kids.

Some caches are hidden right alongside a trail while others require you to bushwhack to get to them. Because Melissa is highly allergic to poison ivy and I’m not at all (knock on wood!), anytime we need to clear a trail to find the treasure, I’m the one who ventures in to do so.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “bushwhacking” is defined as “the act of clearing a path through thick woods by cutting down bushes and low tree branches.” I think that’s just the beginning.

Sure, some bushwhacking is just stepping on broken branches or tall weeds but other times it’s climbing over fallen trees, maneuvering around large boulders, or using brute strength to move things out of the way.

While I have a good amount of experience clearing these types of trails, I’ve also done my fair share of bushwhacking on the trail I’m blazing in my life.

As I work toward my vision — my BHAGs (big, hairy, audacious goals) — I inevitably come across obstacles. I’m sure you experience the same. We all do.

Sometimes the steps are easy and the path is well-marked. You’re in the flow, shit’s happening, and you’re feeling GOOD.

Other times, fear or doubt creeps in and tosses some big “branches” on the trail. You wonder if what you want is even possible to attain or if you have what it takes. These are some bigger obstacles that will require you to chip away at them bit by bit or chunk by chunk.

The boulders may come in the form of naysayers or toxic friends who tell you you’re crazy for doing what you’re doing (I heard plenty of that when we were building our tiny house!) or of seemingly insurmountable debt that keeps you tied to a job you hate. The bushwhacking here will require you to set some strong boundaries both in your relationships and with your spending.

You see, my friend, anything blocking your trail is clutter and all clutter can be cleared. No matter how big or small, you have what it takes to move it out of your way. Some may just take a bit more effort, but that doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel on your dream!

When you think of your life as a great, big treasure hunt where you’re in consistent and intentional pursuit of joy, fulfillment, and adventure, you’ll learn to see the debris that stands in your way as temporary obstacles instead of permanent road blocks.

You needn’t worry about reaching the finish line. Instead, create a strong habit of getting started and eventually the finish line will be in sight. If you tend to procrastinate like I do, use that Pomodoro Technique you hear me talk about ad nauseam. 🤣  You can read more about it in my blog post here: https://kerririchardson.com/finishwhatyoustarted.

We are trailblazers, you and me. We, our families, our communities, and our world need us to forge ahead. Let’s be role models for the people we love and for those whose doubts are keeping them frozen. One small step at a time we can show them — and ourselves — that anything is possible.

Because it is.