To make hard tasks easy, mountains molehills, and challenges simple, we can opt for one of two viable paths:
- We can be still and wait for guidance (go around).
- We can roll up our sleeves and get busy doing what we can, with what we’ve got, from where we are (go through).
Are you more of a go around or go through type of person?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
indeed, so creative and vibrant…
Mihrank — Thank you 🙂
Definitely “go through” person, but in difficult times secretly wish to “go around”. It seems to me that going around can sometimes takes longer and going through requires more immediate thought, decisions and ACTION usually presenting CHALLENGES. During my classroom days, one of the favorite toddler books was, “We’re Going on A Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury – the message stuck quite well.
Lisa — Experientially, I know you to be a go through kinda gal!
And we, too, have “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” in Luna’s library at Nana and Papa’s house 🧸
If I don’t know much about a topic or how to solve a situation I might try the go around option first, but I’m not very patient and will usually go for the go through option as soon as I can (I’d rather discover that something doesn’t work or it didn’t work for me than keep wondering for ever or waiting). Thanks, Laurie.
Olga — Like you, I don’t like to wait and wonder 🙂
Both. Most times I’m a “roll up the sleeves and go through” kind of person, but sometimes I’m so busy doing that with one thing, that another thing happening on the side gets the “go around.”
Arlene — Me too, me too 🙂
I’m a go through person for the most part. Whenever I try the go around approach, it doesn’t usually work. I need to be active and feel I am doing something tward the final goal. Sometimes I probably should have gone around!
Darlene — Yes, I absolutely understand. Like you, I need to feel active, like I’m doing something that gets me closer to my goal. 🙂
I suppose it all depends on the size of the mountain! 😉
Fatima — Amen siSTAR! ⭐
First I ask for the guidance. When it tells me it’s time, I act in the outer world.
Ana — Wise and prudent 👏👏👏
Laurie — lovely and awesome!
Reblogging this to my readers at sister site Timeless Wisdoms
I’m usually a “go through” person; however, when I feel as if I’m in over my head I am definitely a “go around” person! Thanks so much for these perspectives, Laurie! It certainly gives one pause for thought and I appreciate it! Cher xo
Cher — I’m glad this post resonates with you. It sounds like you strike a nice balance ⚖️
Thank you, Laurie! I certainly try to strike a nice balance!! Cher xo
I would say I usually go for the work-around. Is that a fair answer? I like your photo.
Melodie — Yes, it’s definitely a fair answer 🙂
Definitely a go-through kinda gal. I like to assess the situation, break it into sound bites and get it done. Waiting for guidance would be agony for me. The ‘guidance’ usually turns into so much more talk and indecision…and we could have had this thing done already, people!
LoisaJay — I love that you work on it in bite-sized pieces. Much quicker and easier to digest that way 🙂
Your photo suggests two viable ways. I’m both depending on the situation: Arlene and Sea Angel took the words right out of my mouth.
You go to the head of the class for provocative questions, Laurie! 🙂
Marian — You’re right, BOTH ways are viable. I’m glad you enjoy my “internal inventory” questions 🙂
Ha! What a good question! I would say that to a large degree, my faith in my Faith has gotten me to the other side of the “mountain” more times than I can count, without what I would call visible transportation. Just your everyday miracles that come sliding into Home plate milliseconds before the ball smacks into the glove. However, there are certain other situations that can only be muscled through, pick and shovel work, breaking down that mountain into chunks to be carted out of the way. Like the ceiling-high mountain of boxes in my “other room”, that threatens to avalanche any day now. No amount of staring at it has miracled it away, time to get physical.
Sandi — I loved reading your response because BOTH ways (around and through) are viable.
I think you should close the door on the “other room” and do a bit more pondering. Maybe the miracle just needs a bit more time to simmer on the back burner and one day, when you open the door, all of the boxes will have emptied themselves into the appropriate places. I’d hold out (that the “slacker dudette” in me talking) 🙂
I sometimes go around and sometimes go through, depending on the situation. I have to admit, however, that going through is usually far more productive.
Patricia — Both “flavors” (Go Around and Go Through) are tasty, but like you, I like the taste of Go Through better 🙂
Mostly go through, but it depends on the problem and the possible solutions. Sometimes the best course of action is to wait for more information, or for the situation to resolve itself or offer a better solution. Maybe “Go with the Flow,” is another option. 🙂
Chris
Chris — I don’t usually go with the flow. Nor do I go against it. I tend to create my own.
Much like you recently did with getting a brand spanking new (drop-dead gorgeous) new cover for your first book — CASTLE DANGER.
I’m a go-through kind of person – unless it’s something I really don’t care about, then I’ll just ignore it. If it’s something I want done then I think it through and charge ahead.
Carol — I can just hear you now, “Full speed ahead!” 🙂
I tend to be a do what I can with what I’ve got kind of person. But, unfortunately, I’m forced to wait and see. How do you do that and still feel empowered?
Leanne — When I’m forced to wait on something, I think of Patience as a Superpower. That shift in perspective helps me tremendously 🙂
It depends upon the situation. I am usually a very proactive person, but there are times when I feel things are better left alone until some guidance comes my way. And it always does come and I happy I waited!
Joan — Like you, on the occasions when I’ve had to wait, I’m usually glad that I did. 🙂
I usually journal a plan of action and then go for it!
Jill — You WRITER, you! ✍️
I am more of a go around person but sometimes going through is a better option.
WatchingtheDaisies — Both options (Going Through and Going Around) are viable. Sometimes it’s a matter of style, and sometimes it’s determined by the circumstance 🙂
i’m looking
for poison
oak 🙂
SmileCalm — Your comment gave me a fast splitting grin 😄
I have always been a “go through it” person. That is my Yellow Determined Brain Color personality!
Sheila — Experientially, I know this is true of you. You’re a go-getter! 🙂
Laurie, if you saw me out in my yard you would realize I do both…I move…I pray…I pray I move…always moving, but always praying too, more so even since I am over 60 now. It’s possible people who see me in the yard think I’m a little eccentric and wonder why I’m talking to myself.
TimelessLady — I ❤️ your style!
Thanks Laurie.
Go for it person
Thank you for the tweet…
Patricia — Somehow, I KNEW it 🙂
Respected Dr Laurie, I believe I am a ‘go through’ person, while others keep dumb and still, I find myself up and with a firm belief that ‘it can be it will be done, it is possible I will find one’ or if not take some alternative step’ and while my partner declares..’Oh dear I think I have fever’ and today is Sunday half the market is closed today, will go two days later, I will just go out and with the Gracious Lords help ..the job has been done mostly in fact 99%
so many stories attached to this question..I will add that its the approach and attitude one has towards life and taking challenges and no ‘No for an answer
Anjum Wasim Dar — I love the example you shared. Thank you! 🙂
I am so glad you enjoyed this short clip from my daily life…Alas its the bitter truth but God made all things bright and beautiful all creatures great and small…..
As a pup, I always went through – no detours from what I wanted. Occasionally now, I will think about it and go around but I still favour through.
Clowie — A sign of maturity 🐾
Over the years I have found myself shifting from go through to go around.
Espirational — It sounds like it’s been a pleasant transition.
I’m definitely a go through person MOST of the time. Some circumstances require a more thoughtful or compromising approach.
Dawn — I like that you do what’s necessary on an as-needed basis (not all one way, or the other). 🙂
Laurie, I just nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award.
Ray — Thank you so much for the nomination 🙂
Hi Laurie, if I can see a way around I go around and if the only way is through I fire up the backhoe and charge through. 🙂 Rebecca
Rebecca — Yep, I can picture you on that backhoe charging straight through! 🙂
Depends on the task, but mostly I’m a ‘wait and see and figure out my options’ kinda gal. 😀
Widdershins — Checking out all of one’s options is always prudent 🙂
Whoops! I’m definitely not a through person , so I suppose I must go around …when I’ve weathered the storm .
Cherryx
Cherry — You know exactly what works for you to get it done 👏👏👏
I do both, depending on circumstances. Right now, I am feeling some go-through energy, which means I need to make a list and start checking things off!
Shirley — I can picture you in my mind’s eye whipping through your ta-dah list lickity split!
I tend to tackle most jobs, but there are a few that I work around.
LakeAfton — A woman of balance 🙂
Around or through…depends on the view!
Bette — And with your rhyme, you’re a poet 🙂
Situational selection, but most often I ask for guidance…at least for a little while 🙂
Tiny — A good strategy 🙂
I’m a “roll up the sleeves” kind of person but that shouldn’t imply that in some instances depending the situation I go into “Neville Chamberlain” mode.
Sam — Your “Neville Chamberlain” comment made me smile 🙂