I have been a fan of the rock group Kansas since I was a kid. Their music is an intoxicating blend of thoughtfully intriguing lyrics, hard-driving rock, and an assortment of accompanying instruments, such as violins, that add a softer edge.
One of my favorite Kansas songs is ‘The Wall.’ This isn’t a cover of a Pink Floyd song. It isn’t played on the radio much, so most people aren’t familiar with it. The song tells the story of a man who chooses a path and encounters a wall. His journey turns into a quest to get to the other side where his dreams and treasures lie. If you haven’t heard it, I invite you to listen to it or read the lyrics if you aren’t into rock music.
I have written poems to explore this theme further. I return to this song often when my philosophical side begins to twitch.
Does life put walls in our path?
I don’t believe there is any debate that we all experience difficult times and encounter obstacles. It is worth considering whether an obstacle or a hardship is equivalent to a wall that prevents us from getting to where we want to be in life. There are a multitude of human success stories out there centered around the ability to overcome. Did they break through a wall, or did something else happen?
Could these walls and the need to break through barriers be created within us? I’m not diminishing the impact of true hardships and life events. The question is whether we hold ourselves back at times.
Why would we imagine a wall?
We get comfortable with the status quo. It can be intimidating to push ourselves to do our best.
“Wait. If I do this, I’ll discover who I really am and find out what life has in store for me? Thanks, I can wait a little while. Things aren’t going so bad right now.”
We all face internal barriers that dwarf most external obstacles. I don’t have to list these for you, scroll Substack, and you’ll get the idea. Many of us have our reasons.
So, how do I break through?
Everyone would like to achieve the goal of finding their way beyond obstacles and to the treasure that life has in store for them. It isn’t an easy proposition.
However, you can begin when you understand that the battle against the wall is internal. We talk ourselves into artificial limitations. We tell ourselves we’re happy with who we are and what we do. You have to ask yourself the tough questions. Can I be more? Can I do more? What do I want out of life? Do I like who I am?
When you have your answers, the wall will begin to crumble, and you will start to break through.
Limitations are meaningless. Even if it’s never been done before, you can do it.
The Activist Book One: The Inception
Take care of yourself,
Rod
I've started doing a daily affirmation when I wake up, and one of them is "i remove all blocks and obstacles to receiving money."
focusing on breaking down our walls is so important
Great Post Rod! An intereting synchronicity that both of our posts today were about breaking through barriers and walls.
"Wracks my body in ceaseless spasms
a wall of hurt, a widening chasm."