Ahh, but I would add that without the obstacles, one would not develop the inner muscles of courage and the optimism to overcome!! Just a Maralene-ism from someone who coaches others how to "overcome loss"!

I see what he's saying. Obstacles ARE opportunities. When you view them as opportunities instead of obstacles they seem less daunting!

thanks is great the phrase... 
There are no obstacles: There are only opportunities! 
that touch me these days. 
have a great week

Let me clarify my comment above...the "obstacles" are the "opportunities" to develop muscles of courage, etc! When hiking up Mt St Mary's in the Bitteroot Mtns of Montana; it seemed the obstacle was the steep incline above the treeline (10,000 feet altitude). I could only see the path and it was rugged. I almost turned around to descend; but then I reached the top and the view was the wide expanse of the mountain range unseen from below seeing only the face of the mountain; not the range that extended with peaks and valleys repeated along this part of the Rocky Mtn range.