Welcome to Ob5tacle!
Hello Friends!
A few years ago I started a personal blog and had published it to a few friends. I write often and rarely publish what I have written. I was pondering why over the past month. I realised it was out of fear. Funny how that little word creeps into my life without and invitation. Through experience I have found the only way to overcome fear is to have courage and action. For those of you who have been following my blog I want to thank you and if you have subscribed I appreciate your support. I had published this before and pulled it down to build a YouTube channel. I realized I want to write as well and I need to republish this. I hope you enjoy my newsletter.
When I was a younger man in adolescence, I had traumatic situations that changed my life. I did not understand what I was experiencing was abuse at the time. A series of events guided who I was becoming and my path in life. The situation created a giant obstacle in my way that I did not realize I needed to overcome. At the age of 23 I was defeated and did not know where my life was going, I didn't understand who I was and had no tools for living. I had to start over.
During the Covid 19 epidemic a colleague of mine named Brad (my manager for 8 years) and I were working together at our office. There were only a few individuals working in our office each day as everyone was working from home for safety. It was strange and felt like a ghost town in Downtown Denver. We would chat each day about life, what mountains we were hiking, skiing we did or peaks we summited. He is an adventurer, about 5ft 10, 54 years old grey spiked hair that he cuts himself, lean, built, looks like a runner and is always thinking. He must have been a detective and philosopher in a former life because he was always in a state of analyzing the human condition. We were chatting one day about what challenges and obstacles we have overcome in life. He spoke to me about how he and his wife have a philosophy of living by obstacles. It drives their growth and passion for living in may ways. In that conversation something hit me and I realized I wanted to explore how we all deal with adversity. Not just adversity that we have had out in front of us but obstacles we have put in front of ourselves. Mountaineers are often asked the question of why? I believe it is because the obstacle drives them and gives satisfaction to the journey.
I chose to create this website and blog to document mine and others journey in a life of obstacles. When I stop and take a look at the metaphorical trail of my life I see in the distance many boulders blocking the path, fallen trees and huge mountains. I have made it through all of them so far and have many more to come hopefully. Out of each situation I have learned some ideas that are very important. First life is difficult and second that obstacles good or bad have made me grow, learn, become an adventurer, student & teacher. The best way to make sure I reach a goal is to have a plan. Once that plan is created the next step is always action and begin! This is my beginning and I hope anyone who reads this has an obstacle they get to overcome.
Matthew Tepoorten
