The Obstacle Is the Path

“That which is an impediment to action is turned to advance the action. The obstacle on the path becomes the way.” – Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations

So, here I am. After months and months of hemming and hawing, I am finally putting pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard, rather. A blog. A blog about… what exactly? A blog about nothing? Nah already been a mildly successful TV show. A blog about music? Maybe occasionally. A blog about personal life? Well, not always, but maybe sometimes. A blog about HR? Well, it is in the name!

OK, then. Another HR blog. Aren’t there 72,000 blogs on HR topics? Why are you contributing to an already well attended to niche, Mr. Paul? What do you have to offer that isn’t already being offered by countless other HR professionals?

Well, there in lies the answer! This isn’t a journey necessarily for others. This is my journey, one for myself. This journey has been an obstacle for me, and the obstacle must become the path if we are to make it through to the other side!

I love to write. I believe I can be pretty good at it – spelling errors notwithstanding. I blame English. I mean… through, though, tough? Come on now, but I digress. I love HR. I truly am excited about HR. I love that the HR profession is about bringing people together. It’s about helping people be better individually and collectively! The idea of writing about HR really excited me, but I just couldn’t force myself to do it! Why was this such an obstacle?

Well, I didn’t have enough time! Balderdash! We make time for what’s important to us. Well, I just don’t have a niche that’s interesting. Again, lame excuse! YOU ARE THE NICHE! You are interesting, have a perspective, and can make sense of nonsensical situations! Well, I’m scared! Now, we’re on to something, but still, not an excuse.

What helped me get over this last hurdle is my wife. She just started a YouTube vlog about makeup – shameless self-promotion warning: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2y7KWlKwrfMrJDXerbjhyA. It took her a long time to get over her fears. And she did it, and loves it. I am so proud of her, and she inspired me to finally do this thing.

So, that’s how this tiny little obstacle of fear has become the path. Start small. Blog because you’re afraid to do it. Then, do something else you’re afraid of. Eventually, you won’t allow fear to control you. Being afraid is human, and so is overcoming fear.

I hope you come back to this spot again, Paul. Once a week seems like a good time to visit. Thanks for the time, and keep going down your paths.

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