Isn’t it the truth that is always seems like there is always something that can make us say that, “Yes, something is the matter!” Isn’t that just life? With all the variables and working components of life, it is easy to always have “something going on”. Life is not about not having problems. In fact, life is really about how we deal with these issues, how we grow from them and how we learn from them. From big to small, life will always throw obstacles in our way. If we did not have obstacles and challenges, wouldn’t life be boring…. You may think it would be a Utopia but in reality, things would get stale… It may be the weather, the economy, bills, time, someone we care about, forgetting our meals, not making it to the gym, etc. There is always something… but it is how we shift our focus and mindset to deal with these issues that come up, as best we can.
Even when you think things are under control, the car breaks down on the way home. Then you fix that and when you get home the kids have painted all over the walls…. it really never stops. The house seems to be fixed and cleaned up and then, you look in the refrigerator and what, there is NO food… Someone in the house, ate all your meals!!!
The car, the house, your meals, all are going well and back on track… then you are on your way to the gym when you get a phone call from a friend who Needs to chat about their relationship problems…. You spend pull over and help them, you good friend, you… You make it to the gym, finally, guess what none of the cardio machines are available!! ahhhhhh
Okay, things finally really settle down and nothing else could possible go wrong. I mean really, things are under control. You are sure of it, and then your cat jumps on the counter and knocks off a porcelain bowl that shatters all over. You see, this whole idea about control is an illusion. We don’t have any control. There is no such thing as control. No matter how hard you try, something will always be out of your control and your life will always have a challenge or obstacle to overcome. It is how you handle the issue and sometimes you really can only handle it by simply, laughing out loud. Right when you think we have control, we are reminded that we don’t.
It’s hard to believe, and you ask, “Can it really be that way?” After all, you look at other people and you hear about other people and you think that it is different for them. Guess what? Behind every “golden gate”, life is the same and we all have our challenges. You are still sure it is not, so you search for ways to live problem free. You think, “If I earn more money the problems will go away.” If I work harder, if I spend more time at home. If I would have only made it to the gym a few more times…..if, if, if. None of your “ifs” seem to eliminate the problems, so you read more books or use the popular tool “google” or “ask Jeeves” thinking the answer must be there, Jeeves Must know….
No matter what you do the problems will always be present and sorry but they will just be a part of life. You can try to do the best you can to avoid them but guess what, they have a mind of their own. So you put all your energy into blocking the door, but the problems still get in. So stop putting your energy into trying to stop the problems and instead open the door. Put your energy in to how you deal with life’s problems, the best you can.
In the end, life is not about not having problems. You are supposed to have problems. It is how we manage our problems that matters. Somehow we think that having problems (as we call them) should not happen to us. We think that there is a way to stop them or control them. The only thing you can control is yourself as you encounter what life throws at you. Instead of even calling the obstacles you encounter problems, just call them life and necessary challenges.
Life without problems means no growth. Embrace problems and embrace growth. Within each obstacle there is an opportunity for you to manage your life better and learn more about you. Just live, learn and embrace growth!