When Obstacles Become Teachers.

Awareness & Growth

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” — Walt Disney

When Obstacles Become Teachers

Here’s something most of us don’t want to admit: we only grow when things get uncomfortable.
Think about it. When everything’s running smoothly, we cruise on autopilot. No changes needed. No self-reflection required. We simply maintain the status quo.
But the moment an obstacle appears? That’s when something shifts. We have to become aware. We have to respond instead of react. And that’s where real growth happens.

A Recent Clash — And What It Revealed

Just this week, I had a moment that tested everything I’ve been learning about boundaries and awareness.
I was teaching a student—a sixth-grader—who’d been full of excuses. No mp3 files reviewed. Couldn’t find the video I’d made especially for her on her phone. Wasn’t engaging with rhythm explanations despite my best efforts with clapping, visuals, and examples for the last few months.
To help explain rhythm, I asked if she’d studied fractions in school.  She snapped: back “What do fractions have to do with music?”
It was rude. It crossed my boundaries. And I left in a huff.
But here’s the thing—later, I realized something crucial: she’d reacted like a trapped animal. She was cornered in a situation she didn’t know how to escape.

The Realization

This wasn’t just about a disrespectful student. It was about misaligned expectations between a teacher who wanted to help and a student who—let’s be honest—didn’t want to put in the effort. Maybe she wanted to please her mom by taking flute lessons. Maybe her brain hadn’t developed the capacity to understand fractions. But she never told me with words. However, her behaviour did.

What I Could Have Done Differently

With other students, I simply ask if they’re really interested. This time, I missed the mark because she was so nice on the surface that I didn’t see the signs clearly earlier, although I did have an inkling…

The lesson

Ask sooner. Ask more directly but with real curiosity:

• ·        Are you genuinely interested in learning music?
• ·        How much time are you willing to play your instrument daily?
• ·        Do you have the support at home you need?

Because here’s the reality: when parents limit phone time, I need their active involvement—not just permission. They need to be there when their child uses the mp3 files and videos.

The truth

When everything works, it’s because student, parent, and teacher are all aligned. Remove that alignment, and friction is inevitable.

The Bottom Line

Mostly, I have amazing students that I genuinely enjoy teaching. But obstacles do show up sometimes. And I’m getting better at knowing where my limits are.

The real growth happens when I realize my limits instead of simply going over them. It’s the difference between leaving in a huff and recognizing that we simply had different expectations.
That’s awareness. And it’s exactly what this journey is all about.

It’s about working together. I’m learning to listen better—to my students, to my boundaries, and to myself.

If this resonates with you, let me know!