As our boat glided under one of the many small bridges sprinkled over Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes something bright and colorful caught my eye. Perched on a ledge were five little goofy troll dolls grinning down at us from a perch where someone placed them. Each of the trolls smiled out from under its own wildly colored hair. 

I smiled back but then I remembered the other kind of scary troll that lived under the bridge and challenged the three goats in the tale of “Billy Goats Gruff. “ 

That stinky, creepy, hungry troll challenged each of the three goats as they approached to cross to the sweet grass on the other side of his bridge. First the small goat and then the medium goat came to the bridge where the troll called out, “I’m going to eat you!!” The little guy said, “Wait for the next one. He’s bigger than me!” The troll let him pass.

Next the medium one came, and the troll challenged his passage. “I’m going to eat you!!” “Wait for the next one. He’s bigger than me!” The troll let him pass.

Finally, the third goat came but the troll was the one who was surprised by the large, angry goat that showed the troll that he was nobody’s lunch. 

Trolls are nasty and even today their namesakes, the internet trolls, post lies that agitate and distract us from seeing that maybe some things need to work differently in this world that has changed. 

Making a change in life is like crossing a bridge. Just that thought of change can overwhelm us, so it is hard to take the first step let alone make it to the other side. At any point we can turn around and go back. It is a matter of choice. 

The goal is to make it across the bridge and if we anticipate the obstacles then we may be better prepared to overcome them. 

Often the greatest obstacles are the ones we create for ourselves:

• “I’m too old.”
• “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
• “I don’t care.”

When we face them, it is like facing the troll under the bridge. 

As the billy goats taught us, there was a way around the troll but it’s up to us to figure out how to do so. In a way, that part that is holding you back is your own troll, your own obstacle, as it finds excuses not to even try. 

If you are ready to make some changes here are some things to consider as you examine your personal trolls. 

1. If you don’t make a change, what will your life be like next year? Five years? Ten years?
2. Are you willing to do the work?
3. Are you ready to face the consequences for change?

Consider where you have been, where you are now and, most importantly, where you want to be. 

You have the power to undertake this journey and facing the troll’s challenge is the first step.

How we respond to the challenges of change affects how we survive. Resilience, rebounding in the face of adversity, is the key. 

Finding the strength within can keep us going and facing your troll is a good place to start.