What's in the way IS the way.

Prolific author and inspiring corporate and business coach Steve Chandler has made a sprinkling of his audio available for free download on iTunes. Now I'm not a fan of us all running around in bubbles with our headphones on, believe me. Mostly, I like to run as a way to engage in a deeper conversation with my surroundings, my Self, and my God. However, there are those days when I am not particularly keen to engage with any of them! On those days, I do pop on my headphones to see if I can find a way out of the present funk. When things are particularly funky, I like to listen to Steve—he offers me no "wiggle room."

As a runner, I tend to relish what is in the way. Even if it hurts, it's a good hurt, right? The hill that comes out of nowhere at mile 20 on a marathon; the deceptive intelligence that tells me I'd be much better off in bed than exercising this morning; or the recurrence of the plantar fascitis I thought I'd seen the back of.

This morning, the headphones are on—but I'm not running today. I'm sprawled on the floor with my stretching rope. Hamstrings; calves; ankles; feet. I'm pissed. I'd rather be running. And I'm trying to stretch out the tight muscles in my foot—to get loose—while my whole psyche is screaming, tight-fisted, blaming, angry %@#*!. That BF PF.

Then Steve reminds me, as he winds his way masterfully through the dense, dark forest of my anger, that "what is in the way, IS the way." And I know he is right. Just hearing it out loud, my hands loosen on my stretching rope, and a little blood returns to my knuckles.

And as if on cue, my daughter comes into the room, climbs on my belly, and bounces up and down. Soon, I'm laughing hysterically, tears running down my face, heart pumping oxygen, and the bright gleam in her eyes fills me much as any ten-miler could have done. In fact, I've never been happier to be home injured as I am this morning. What was in the way (the injury) was indeed the way—to a beautiful, unexpected, and inspiring morning with my daughter.

Thanks Steve!