The Problem is Not the Problem

"The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem,” so declared Captain Jack Sparrow. To Robert Schuller, "Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines." Today, let's reflect on how you see your problem. Do you know that the problem you face is not your problem, rather your actual problem is how you see the problem? Life has an abundance of issues, challenges, disappointments, upsets, failures, pains, etc. yet many still move ahead and make great exploits and gains. One person faced with the pressure of life falls into depression while another faced with the same pressure sees opportunities to be better and more innovative. According to L. Kendrick, "We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond. Many struggles come as problems and pressures that sometimes cause pain. Others come as temptations, trials, and tribulations." William Ward, therefore, advised, "It is wise to direct your anger towards problems - not people; to focus your energies on answers - not excuses." So, enhance your capacity to see problems from the angle that works for you rather than against you. Do you complain when people come to you with problems? Then, listen to Collin Powell share a perspective: "Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." Do you complain about your work? Then listen to Jim Lovell: "Be thankful for problems. If they were less difficult, someone with less ability might have your job." When the affairs of life feels overwhelming, listen to Michelle Obama: "You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own." When faced with problems, rather than weep and complain, let A. Kalam's note guide you: "My message, especially to young people, is to have courage to think differently, courage to invent, to travel the unexplored path, courage to discover the impossible and to conquer the problems and succeed. These are great qualities that they must work towards. This is my message to young people." As you step out today, reframe how you see problems. Listen to Albert Ellis: "The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny."