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."

Treasure People You Meet on Your Pathway of Life

"Everyone you meet has a part to play in your story. And while some may take a chapter, others a paragraph, and most will be no more than scribbled notes in the margins, someday, you'll meet someone who will become so integral to your life, you'll put their name in the title," so declared Beau Taplin. In Anthony D'Angelo's words, "Treasure your relationships, not your possessions." Today, let's reflect on treasuring people you meet along your life's journey. Do you know that people you meet on your life's journey could be some of the greatest treasures in your life? While the temptation may be to look down on some people or judge others based on their physical appearance or social status, the reality is that every human that crosses your path of life, has amazing things to offer. The implication is that what you get from people depends on what you look for. As Paulo Coelho said, "You can either be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It all depends on how you view your life." In the words of Bryant McGill, "There are amazingly wonderful people in all walks of life; some familiar to us and others not. Stretch yourself and really get to know people. People are, in many ways, one of our greatest treasures." To Brian Tracy, "The greatest treasures of your life are associated with the people you love and who love you in return.” Recognizing the value of people, Matshona Dhliwayo counselled, "Before you look for dirt in people, look for treasure." Stella Lee advised, "Work hard to protect what you have and the people that you are blessed to have around you. Unless you are fine with losing them forever, remember that relationships take work, and you have to be willing to put in that work." So, enhance your capacity to harness the vast potentials in people you meet along your path of life. Reject the temptation to judge people by their looks or focus on immediate benefit. Develop the wisdom to deal with people in a manner that will maximize the value of human relationships. Treat every contact as a farm where you sow seed recognizing that the season of harvest would arrive one day. Know, as Buddha said, "Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." Let people that come across you also benefit from you as a treasure vessel. Be alert, as Daisaku Ikeda noted, that "There are no greater treasures than the highest human qualities such as compassion, courage and hope. Not even tragic accidents or disasters can destroy such treasures of the heart." Though the dynamics of life may tempt you to see others as opponents, rivals, threats, opportunists, etc., develop the capacity to build relationships that can enable you maximize the treasures in others rather than focusing on the negatives and losing the opportunity to make the best of every relationship. Victoria Osteen understood the value of people and so declared, "Our relationships are precious, valuable treasures from heaven, and we should handle them carefully, always looking for ways to build bridges to each other's hearts." As you step out today, be determined to walk in such a way that you maximize the value of your relationships with others. Let your life open the door to connect with others so you can see the hidden light in human vessels. Remember, as Lao Tzu said, "The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own."

It May Not Come on a Silver Platter

"I believe one has to work their way up to where they want to be... Things will come to you on a silver, gold, brass, or even a wooden platter if you go out and create them," so declared Mark Sandford. To a writer, "Life doesn't come handed to you on a silver platter. We all go through pressure and struggles of our own and to different extremes." Today, let's reflect on paying the price for what you desire. Do you know that what you desire may not come to you on a silver platter and that there is a price to pay for what you need? According to Annette Sunday, "Nothing good comes on a silver platter." Terry Orlick added, "Nobody hands you excellence on a silver platter. You earn it through planning, preparing, and persisting in the face of all obstacles." While it may feel blissful to look up to fate, luck, Providence, favour, connections, etc. to usher to you what you want without you doing anything, it's key to recognize your role in getting what you desire. Listen to Katarina Witt: "Almost nothing is presented to you on a silver platter. You have to really work for it." The expectation of something for nothing may be misleading. As Claire Kaifes noted, "Working for what you want is a great way to learn about determination and grit. Grit will always propel you forward and keep you from giving up on your dreams." Conversely, as he continued, "When things are just given to you in life, you don’t learn anything such as time management, money management, or really any life skill." So, enhance your capacity to recognize your role in getting what you need. Know that while it is okay to exercise faith towards your desires, it is important to recognize the needed work to drive the actualization of the desire. That may involve sacrifice, delayed gratification, determination in the midst of challenges, devotion to learning and acquisition of needed skills, patience, networking, etc. As a source shared, be conscious that allowing someone to grow up without discipline and determination will only hurt him or her in the long run. Therefore, train yourself to live with the consciousness that while certain things in life are outside your control, working for what you believe in is the most important part of growing up as life will never give you anything without you working for it, doing your part or paying the needed price. Such a mindset might have been why a school of thought encouraged people to pray as if everything depends on God but work as if everything depends on the individuals. As you step out today, recognize the need to push yourself as a first step towards your goal. Dream big and pray hard but take the needed action for the dreams to come true. Never underestimate the role of your God-given talents, hands, legs, brain, etc. in moving you from where you are to where you should be.

Treasure What You Have.

"When you treasure what you have, you are already rich," so advised Udai Yadla. In the words of Matshona Dhliwayo, "Riches you hold in your hands are inferior to treasures you store in your heart." Today, let's reflect on treasuring what you have. Do you know that treasuring what you have is a great way to get the best from them and to enhance your fulfilment? The tendency to aspire for what you want or focus on the physical may make you lose consciousness of what you have and the great value in them. The result may have an adverse impact on your level of happiness. As Sola Agudah noted, "In the end, it isn’t how rich you are that matters. It doesn’t even matter how many accolades you have gotten. It doesn’t matter how many material possessions you were able to accumulate. What matters is the quality of life you lived and the impression you left on those that met you." Unfortunately, the temptation may be to focus unnecessarily on the physical while losing track of what really matters. As Matshona Dhliwayo said, "There is no gem like virtue, no wealth like happiness, no treasure like faith, and no jewel like love." He added, "Wealth is a small blessing, health is a great asset, happiness is an extraordinary treasure, and life is a remarkable reward." According to Joel Osteen, "You have what you need. The problem many times is that it's buried on the inside. It's a hidden treasure. You have gifts and talents that you've not yet tapped into. There is potential that is waiting to be released. When God laid out the plan for your life, he deposited in you the skill, the wisdom, the creativity; everything you need to fulfil your destiny." So, enhance your capacity to recognize what you have and to maximize what you make of them. Know, as Marie Kondo said, "To truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose. And if you no longer need them, then that is neither wasteful nor shameful." Take stock of what you have and let go of what no longer adds value. Know that life is not about the accumulation of things but the recognition and treasuring of what you have. As Marie Kondo asked, "Can you truthfully say that you treasure something buried so deeply in a cupboard or drawer that you have forgotten its existence?" In the words of a writer, "Make the most of what you have, treasure what's in your hands, for what you care for grows, and what you neglect dies. Don't wait till the end of your life to realize how time flies and how the little things you take for granted are where great things lie." In the midst of what you have, recognize what is valuable. Treasure your health, celebrate valuable relationships, appreciate your talents, be grateful for your job, cherish your family, and esteem your ability to do what you do. As you step out today, listen to Joel Osteen: "You have exactly what you need. You're tall enough. You're smart enough. You're attractive enough. You're talented enough. Quit comparing yourself to somebody else. You've been fearfully and wonderfully made. When you walk in your anointing, confident in who God made you to be, knowing that you've got what it takes, then your hidden treasure, your gifts, your talents, that potential is going to be released. You'll step into the fullness of your destiny."

Be Serious With Your Life.

"There are some things worth being serious about. You just have to figure out what in your life matters most. Then, it’s time to get serious," so declared a writer. To Jamie Jackson, "Be serious in the love you give. Be serious in finding the value you have to offer for that is your gold. Be serious in your pursuit of inner peace. Be serious in your personal growth. Be serious in facing your fears and discovering who you are." Today, let's reflect on being serious with your life. Do you know that the attention you pay to things determines the outcome you get from them? In a world filled with distractions, it's possible to get carried away by every "wind" that you lose focus of what really matters and is essential for your progress. It's also possible to be so relaxed and resort to the comfort zone that the things that matter are left unattended. As Janie Jackson noted, "Life will happen to you rather than for you if you don’t take it seriously." That might have been why Syama Mukherjee advised, "Whatever work you undertake, do it seriously, thoroughly and well; never leave it half-done or undone, never feel yourself satisfied unless and until you have given it your very best. Cultivate the habits of discipline and toleration. Surrender not the convictions you hold dear but learn to appreciate the points of view of your opponents." Friedrich Nietzsche added, "Men should learn to live with the same seriousness with which children play." To avoid confusion, Allan Bloom noted that "A serious life means being fully aware of the alternatives, thinking about them with all the intensity one brings to bear on life-and-death questions, in full recognition that every choice is a great risk with necessary consequences that are hard to bear." So, enhance your capacity to recognize what to be serious about and to actually be serious. As Jackson counselled, "Be serious in taking responsibility for your life... Be serious about creativity. Be serious about the friends you keep and the people who give you counsel. Be serious about extending yourself and your world through your relationships with others. Be serious about how you spend the fleeting minutes of your life. Be serious about the actions you take because all actions have consequences. Be serious about being a parent as your children will follow your example, not your advice. Be serious about putting your priorities in the right order and be serious in endeavouring to find out what is that right order. Be serious in working out who you are. Be serious in working out your mission and struggles. Be serious about all of this or be perpetually disappointed in life." Recognize that if you're not serious with your life, nobody will take you seriously. Know what to refrain from and what not to invest your energy or time on. Let what you are serious about be things that add real value to your life and create positive impacts. Reject the temptation to be serious about unhelpful relationships, distractions, other's opinions of you, pleasing others, or indulging in acts that do not enhance your vision. As you step out today, review what you do and what you're involved in to determine what requires your attention and what does not deserve your time and energy. Always remember Robert Hutchins' words: "It is not so important to be serious as it is to be serious about the important things."

Don't Merely Grow Old, Grow Up.

"Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional," declared Chili Davis. To Maya Angelou, "Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honour their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging." Today, let's reflect on growing up rather than merely growing old. Do you know that while growing old is outside your control, growing up is a choice? Often, we see flashes of birthday celebrations and hear drums of birthday ecstasy. Some persons have taken birthday issue so high that they have quarrelled with loved ones or done away with relationships with persons who forgot or missed to recognize their birthdays. A question is, when one celebrates birthday, what does one really celebrate? The years in one's life or the life in one's years? While one has no control over growing old - in fact, one can't choose not to grow old - growing up is a conscious act and must be done intentionally. Maya Angelou shared his thought: "I am convinced that most people do not grow up... We marry and dare to have children and call that growing up. I think what we do is mostly grow old. We carry accumulation of years in our bodies, and on our faces, but generally our real selves, the children inside, are innocent and shy as magnolias." While it's okay to live long, it's more important to live a life of value and impact, to optimally develop your capacity, to make the best of what you have, to maximize your abilities and to actively drive the actualization of your potentials. So, enhance your capacity to determinedly grow up. Recognize, as Oprah Winfrey noted, "We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are." Be alert, as E. E. Cummings said, "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." Therefore, challenge yourself to grow up - improve your reasoning, refine how you speak, enhance your problem solving skills, build your network, grow your ability to positively impact others, increase your level of maturity, widen your sphere of influence, challenge yourself to be better, fly at higher altitude, focus on what matters, etc. Listen to Jennifer Elisabehe's challenge: "Stop trying to be less of who you are. Let this time in your life cut you open and drain all of the things that are holding you back." Always remember Brandon Stanton's words: "Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you're grown up. Growing up means being patient, holding your temper, cutting out the self-pity, and quitting with the righteous indignation." As you step out today, consciously take steps to grow up. While it's fine to celebrate every new day under the sun, focus more on celebrating your growing up. In all you do, always remember Lois Bujoup's thought: "Growing up, I have discovered over time, is rather like housework: never finished."

Give What You Want to Receive.

"The universe works in mysterious ways, often paradoxically. When you give compassion, you are open to it. When you give love, love comes to you. When you give money or material possessions, your wealth increases. Whatever the focus of your generosity, the underlying assumption is abundance: there is plenty for everyone." These were the words of Nicole Urdang. Today, let's reflect on giving what you want to receive. Do you know that what you give is what you receive? Invariably, to get what you desire, give that to others. In the words of Tony Fahkry, "Giving out what you most want, comes back to you better than you imagine." Nicole Urdang captured it this way: "When you let go of possessions and money, when you bravely open your heart to love, when you bestow a kind word or smile on someone, you open unseen portals for goodness, compassion, and prosperity to flow to you... When you can really let go and assume the universe provides, you can deeply relax. This doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a big leap of faith and a lot of practice." Kahlil Gibran shared an experience: "I slept, and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke, and I saw that life is all service. I served, and I saw that service is joy.” Emphasizing the value of what we give, Arthur Ashe noted, "From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” So, enhance your capacity to give what you want to receive. In a world where everyone blames somebody for not doing even what anybody can do, nobody may be free from the adverse consequences of inaction. Wait no longer; take a step: give what you want to receive. Know, as Fahkry said, "It is a universal law that you reap what you sow. Moreover, you are a reflection of your predominant thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions. You are what you think about and receive according to your predominant thoughts." Let your actions attract your passion. Rather than wait and complain, do what will usher in what you desire. Nicole Urdang cited a typical example: "When you feel lonely, go out into the world and smile at someone, call a friend who may also be flying solo, or write a loving note, text, or email. Again, by giving what you seek, you change your energy." Therefore, if you want more love, give out an abundance of love. If you want more people to care about you, spend more time showing people you care. As you step out today, be conscious that "Like attracts like." Whatever you want in your life, focus on giving that to others. Always remember Zig Ziglar's note: "You can have everything you want in life if you will just help other people get what they want.”

Failure is an Instrument of Success.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts," so declared Winston Churchill. In Albert Einstein's words, "Failure is success in progress." Today, let's reflect on failure as an instrument of success. Do you know that failing in something is not the reason for you not succeeding? According to Ekaterina Walter, "It seems that failure tends to be more public than success. Or at least that’s what we perceive it to be. We fret it, we try to avoid it, and we question ourselves every time we have unconventional ideas. But the simple truth is – no great success was ever achieved without failure. It may be one epic failure. Or a series of failures – such as Edison's 10,000 attempts to create a light bulb or Dyson’s 5,126 attempts to invent a bagless vacuum cleaner. But, whether we like it or not, failure is a necessary stepping stone to achieving our dreams." The implication is that failure is not necessarily a problem. Rather, the issue is what you do with failure. John Wooden noted that "Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be." George Clooney added, "The only failure is not to try." Robert Kennedy noted that “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Despite this, many don't dare to try anything they suspect they may fail. Paulo Coelho confirmed this when he said, "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” Coco Chanel, therefore, noted that "Success is most often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” So, enhance your capacity to utilize failure as an instrument of success. As much as nobody deliberately desires failure, know, as Bill Gates did, "It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure." Ken Robinson thus counselled, "If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” The implication is that you should not see failure as a road block to success but as an instrument to enhance success. Gena Showalter, therefore, entreated, “Giving up is the only sure way to fail.” That might have been why Chris Bradford noted that "There is no failure except in no longer trying.” Denis Waitley counselled, "Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” Therefore, consider reframing what is considered as failure to enable failure work for, rather than against you. Learn from Thomas Edison, who declared, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” As you step out today, don't let failure fail you. Utilize what has not worked as expected as a learning opportunity to enhance your success. If you feel discouraged, let Winston Churchill note encourage you: "Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”