The Life of A Problem

 

“Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.”  ~ Steve Maraboli

“The best way out is always through.”  ~ Robert Frost

“Every problem is a gift – without problems we would not grow.”  ~ Anthony Robbins

“Every solution to every problem is simple. It’s the distance between the two where the mystery lies.”  ~ Derek Landy

“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”  ~ Dalai Lama XIV

***“The universe is so well balanced that the mere fact that you have a problem also serves as a sign that there is a solution.”  ~ Steve Maraboli

from The Desk of MarDrag:

Problems…we all have them. Life is wrought with them. There is no escape from them. And, sometimes, just when we think we are free of them, another one (or many) crop up to remind us that life is about growth. And as Tony Robbins says above, without problems, we would not grow. If everything was always “all right” and we never had any adversity in our lives, we could not stretch our minds, hearts and souls to see what we are capable of or to hone our life skills.

But, sometimes the problems life brings us are overwhelming, and it is often easy to get buried in them. We are busy in our lives, and when problems arise, it takes energy and thought to work them out and find resolutions. Or so we have been taught. We spend a great deal of thought, energy and worry on problems; thinking about them picking them apart, judging them, trying to come up with solutions, or simply worrying about them and feeling anxiety because we don’t have a solution. By the time we spend all of this effort on a problem, we are exhausted and often discouraged or depressed and feel stuck, or that there is no way out. We spend all this time, effort and energy focusing on the problem…keeping it alive…and very possibly blocking the arrival of the solution.

So, consider this…You can not solve a problem at the level of the problem. You have to rise above it to see the other levels around it. If we stay parallel to the problem, then our focus is aimed only at the issue and the clarity surrounding it stays fuzzy and unreadable.

The trick is to take our focus and direct our attention to attaining that clarity. To focus on the clearing…not the solving. There is always another way to look at a problem, another view, even when our conscious mind says there is not, or can’t see it. We sometimes need to look with our heart and soul, not always with our mind and eyes. God, Spirit, the Higher Powers all already know the solution. If we can stay clear, and step out of the way, then we can receive those answers and Divine thought can reach us.

My favorite quote above is the last one by Steve Maraboli…that the fact there is a problem in the first place gives us proof that there is a solution to it. For, by Law of Polarity in the universe (two sides to everything), there is no problem that does not have a corresponding solution.

Don’t give Life to the problem…make your Life and its Power to overcome bigger than the problem.

Since everyone is different, each must find their own way to “rise above” a problem and seek clarity. But, I do have a little daily mantra that has helped me to change my focus that I will share with you, and perhaps it can help you too. Or, write your own, or search for something you can say to yourself that will change your focus when you find yourself immersed too deeply in a problem and are unable to clear your mind and step away from it to allow the solution to flow to you. Here is that mantra:

Just for today, I release myself from anger and fear

Just for today, I release myself from worry

I give thanks for my many Blessings

I live well, and cultivate my true life with grace and joy

Blessed are my family, friends and teachers

I rise above  (I have had this many years and do not recall where I read it or its author)

If you are facing a problem (as we all are), use this mantra to help clear your mind. Or find what will work for you, and see yourself stepping out of the way of the problem so that its ever present and corresponding solution can make itself known…and you will have the clarity to see it. And you will know the Balance of life in its true form.

Blessings!