Stagnation and flow

There are times in the process of life when we feel not just "stopped" but "halted." But are we really "halted"? Isn't it all our own choice? Or are we simply "reacting" to events that affect us?
Times of "halt" or "setback" can feel very frustrating. However, looking back on it, it seems as though something was slowly maturing beneath the surface during that process. I liken this state to landscapes and rocks that change over a long period of time.