Watching a horse jump over barricades is mesmerizing, especially in slow motion. Their legs are poised for the launch, sending them and their rider sailing over the bars like a rainbow. That's four limbs to bend and keep clear of the obstacle, and a thundering amount of inertia to deal with on impact. I have never jumped like that, but I imagine the process starts with smaller fences and they gradually increase in height. 

I doubt it would work if there were no barriers. If the rider tried to convince the horse to jump over nothing, she might be less motivated. And if the obstacles never rose above twelve inches, the horse might have no reason to pick up speed or do much more than hop. The wall is the catalyst for the effort.

Probably a jumper is stronger than a pony whose life revolves around munching grass in a field and the occasional frolic in the wind. I expect her lung capacity is greater as well, and the strength of her heart. And it is all because of the hurdles.

If life is about becoming tenacious, and kind, there need to be stumbling blocks. They even have the audacity to amplify as our ability to clear them grows. Kindness in an environment of generosity is not kindness so much as reciprocation. A mom will praise her toddler for sharing his cookie, but will quickly replace it so there was actually no net loss. There may come a day when he can offer the food on his plate when he himself is hungry.

Patience when everything goes according to plan is not patience but convenience. Parenting two small kids when they cheerfully put on their socks and keep their hands off of the candy in the grocery store takes basic skill. But maintaining your sense of calm when your kids are whacking the other people in line and grabbing chocolate bars takes finesse.

Recently I have been having asthma, which rears its nasty head in the fall. My initial reaction is annoyance that this health issue is getting in the way of life. But maybe it's just a barricade for me to get over.  My father toted an oxygen canister behind him for the last few years and my wheezing brings him close to me in a way that unblocked yet unappreciated airways never did. 

If I can harness compassion for others who struggle with all manner of bodily malfunctions, bring it on. A heart grows stronger because of the hurdles.