Often our goals and assignments, tasks and obligations can become more important than our self fulfillment. We push and push to fit everything into an imagined box and it never seems to quite fit. The stress builds because our schedule is our all-important road map to success. We are defined by it and we ignore everything else in our path as an obstruction.

The internet goes out and we're unable to send an email. Our phone drops a call. Our child is ill and we have to miss work. A tire blows out and we spend an hour having it repaired. A friend calls and we don't have time to talk. Someone cuts us off in traffic or we're held up at a traffic light and we're afraid we'll miss an appointment. WHY IS EVERYTHING GETTING IN OUR WAY?

Consider that life is not a roadmap in one direction. The perceived disruptions to our big plan are not annoying obstacles to, they are a part of life. The objective is not to "get there," it's to experience all we can and smile through it. The goal to success includes breakdowns, breakups, bad weather, laughing, meeting people at the tire store, noticing people who cut us off in traffic without swearing, spending time with our children when they are ill …

Who said it was going to be an easy, straight shot to an objective? It's a misconception. The truth is, life is one continual amusement park or insane asylum. The difference is in how we handle it. The choice is yours.

Smile. Breathe. Relax. Enjoy.