Some of us spend more time reacting to the fact that we have a problem than we do solving the problem. "Why is this happening to me?" . . . "Isn't life awful?" . . . "How come this had to happen?" . . . "Oh, dear. This is terrible." . . . "Why is God (the Universe, an agency, a person, or life) picking on me?"
Problems are inevitable. Some problems can be anticipated. Some are surprises. But the idea that problems occur regularly need never be a surprise.
The good news is that for every problem, there's a solution. Sometimes the solution is immediate. Sometimes, it takes awhile to discover. Sometimes, the solution involves letting go. Sometimes, the problem is ours to solve; sometimes it isn't. Sometimes, there is something we can clearly do to solve the problem; other times, we need to struggle, flounder, do our part, and then trust our Higher Power for help.
Sometimes, the problem is just part of life. Sometimes, the problem is important because we are learning something through the problem and its solution. Sometimes, problems end up working out for good in our life. They get us headed in a direction that is superior to one we may otherwise have taken.
Sometimes, problems just are; sometimes they are a warning sign that we are on the wrong track.
We can learn to accept problems as an inevitable part of life. We can learn to solve problems. We can learn to trust our ability to solve problems. We can learn to identify which problems are trying to lead us in a new direction, and which simply ask for solving.
We can learn to focus on the solution rather than on the problem, and maintain a positive attitude toward life and the inevitable flow of problems and solutions.
Today, I will learn to trust solutions, rather than be victimized by problems. I will not use problems to prove I am helpless, picked on, or martyred. I will not point to my problems to prove how awful life is. I will learn to trust the flow of problems and solutions. God, help me solve the problems I can solve today. Help me let go of the rest. Help me believe in my ability to tackle and solve problems. Help me trust the flow. For each problem, there is a solution.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
I personaly look at it like this. There is really no such thing as a "Problem", but rather it is a set of circumstances. When Im able to break it down to that, then I can focus on working on One of the set at a time.I dont feel as powerless . I bought a old house years ago that was a BIG fixer-upper project. I got busy trying to make all the repairs. It seemed like I was working myself to death and getting nothing done. I stood back and looked at the old house and thought about all the work that needed to be done. I got really upset and thought to myself, "I will NEVER be able to finish all of this work. I wish I would have never bought it". I had bitten off more than I could chew. Later, after I had calmed down some, I stood back and looked at it again. This time I saw things quite differantly. Insted of looking at "ALL" the work that needed to be done, I focused on one small projet. I thought.."Well, I KNOW I can complet that". ..and I did. It felt good to have something done. That encouraged me to do another, then another and so on. No, Im not finished with the old house yet, But Im living in it, and proud of the work Ive done so far. Alot of folks have told me they cant belive how I have fixed up a old pile of wood. The point Im trying to make is, I quit looking at the big picture..or "Problem" and started looking at one of the cirumstances. By breaking it down into small thing, Ive been able to handel it, sometimes even so much as enjoying it. I have to remember the saying.."Dont sweat the small stuff". I may be wrong ,(and Belive me when I say I have been known to be wrong), but thats just the way I try to deal with "Problems". Truth is as simple as this...if it doesnt breath, it's no big deal.. or "Problem". It's only "Small stuff". Ron
