An ancient text – the I-Ching – has words of wisdom we can all heed when faced with obstacles. Nature can be our greatest teacher, if we let it. Pause and Build Strength.

“When flowing water … meets with obstacles on its path, a blockage in its journey, it pauses. It increases in volume and strength, filling up in front of the obstacle and eventually spilling past it….  

“Do not turn and run, for there is nowhere worthwhile for you to go.

Do not attempt to push ahead into the danger … emulate the example of the water:

Pause and build up your strength until the obstacle no longer represents a blockage.”

This can be counter-intuitive.

Where do you need to pause to be strong like water? Have you noticed obstacles dissolve when you don’t immediately react? Experiment, just for today.

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC         www.sagelead.com