An Obstacle, according to Dictionary.com, is "a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress."

Obstacles stink because they create fear and anxiety. They also prevent us from reaching goals. They cause us to become scared and they are just very annoying.

I asked on Facebook what some obstacles were for individuals and I received many unique and even emotional ones:

"Overcoming depression my junior year of college."

"Losing my grandmother in HS."

"Losing my brother 2 years ago."

"This may sound a little strange but mine was overcoming the fear of obstacles themselves. Instead of being forced to take initiative, I was faced with fear and doubt in almost any problem I ever had. Trying to find a solution to any given problem seems rather easy when you're a rational thinker but all I remember was being depressed for 3/4 of my life. Foster care, teen pregnancy, gaining parents but losing one, divorce. Life 's an obstacle itself."

"Breaking off my engagement, ending an emotionally abusive relationship."

"Learning to be more confident, overcoming social anxieties, embracing my weird and loving the "self."

"Bouncing back from my depression and suicide attempts."

Thank you to everyone who shared their most difficult obstacles with me, as I can relate to many.

Obstacles do take a toll on our daily lives and we are faced with them everyday. Whether its as little as trying to get to work on time to overcoming a horrendous disease, obstacles are a powerful struggle for humans. Maybe they make us stronger or are signs that we should keep going for the outcome, who knows.

I can only hope that for myself and for others that I care about overcome their obstacles especially ones that hinder their lives. Life is hard.