"Work the Solution and Not the Problem"

“Work the Solution and Not the Problem”

We live in a cynical age.  Generations X and Y and the Millennials possess an inbred disdain for authority.  Their disregard for their elders and people in leadership positions emerges naturally and understandably from observing the protracted lack of integrity displayed by such persons.  Moral failure and questionable ethical behavior have become the norm.  We expect it from leaders in all facets of society whether government, academy, athletics, entertainment, religion, or healthcare.  Anticipating negative outcomes inevitably seals a perpetually dismal outlook upon life.

Personally and practically, we arise daily and digress mechanically to seeing all of our problems.  Quite possibly, we spend lots of time and energy polishing our problems until they sparkle.  It stands to reason that a gleaming problem is not a gift.  Despite its shine, it still threatens our well-being.  A polished problem delineates the demands on our time and resources necessary to resolve the dilemma we face.  If we are not deliberate in defining and resolving our problems, we lapse into the modality of chasing after them.  Hence, I encourage you to forsake the prevalent skepticism that an undue allegiance to the scientific method as the sole basis for determining truth yields.  Dwelling upon the “facts” limits our consideration of possible solutions to the challenges that we face.  Today, let’s resolve to work diligently for the answer rather than expending ourselves ineffectively by focusing upon the problem.

It is conceivable that many people conclude that one never resolves the deep-seated pains and disappointments of childhood.  Consider the promises that your parents made but did not fulfill.  What about the hurtful names that you were called?  How many people remain on your resentment list because of the things that they did and said to injure you?  Will a dawn unfold when you may think about these things and they do not cause you to cringe or become angry again?  Does replaying these emotions and experiences help to process them?  Maybe, such remembrances deepen the wounds or more clearly refine the scars?  Yet, we remain in need of inner healing and wholeness.  How shall we obtain it if we concentrate upon the pain and never progress to finding its purpose?

Ironically, problems inherently possess solutions if we analyze the challenges through the eyes of faith.  Recently, I learned of a woman who became a successful businesswoman because of a problem that she faced caring for her aging aunts.  Her search for a care giving firm that would provide medication reminders, prepare meals, light housing cleaning, rides to doctor’s appointments and daily companionship for her aunts until she returned home from work yielded no leads.  Finding a non-existent market to address her needs, this woman proceeds to create one.  She successfully opens one of the first in-home care agencies for senior citizens who are still relatively independent but need some assistance.  These types of businesses have proliferated throughout the country as the numbers and percentages of seniors increases considerably as the “baby boomer” generation retires.  In fact, states licensing is necessary in most regions of the nation.  This woman chose to work the solution rather than concentrate upon the problem.  Her resolution favorably affected the lives of countless other seniors and their families as a new option for elder arose.  The answer was embedded in the problem itself.

Additionally, a friend of mine shared an interesting true story of a man who similarly made resolving his dilemma the focal point instead of centering his mind on the problem.  We will call him Jim henceforth.  Jim had been employed for several years as the main custodian of a church in Harlem.  By all accounts, he had performed with distinction; to boot, Jim is a likable guy who enjoys of the good graces and kindnesses of the people with whom he works.  As circumstances of life would have it, a new pastor was installed at the church.  This pastor insisted that all persons on the senior staff had to have a college degree.  Because Jim did not have one, he was terminated and wished well in his new endeavors.  On his final walk from the church toward his apartment, Jim made a life changing observation.  He noticed countless smokers within a forty-block distance.  But, there were no tobacco shops.  Evidently, all of these people who lived and worked in this area had to travel elsewhere to buy tobacco products.  Jim arranged his financial affairs and opened initially a tobacco kiosk on the street.  In time, he replicated this many times over.  Actually, Jim became a millionaire!  Had he not worked the solution instead of the problem he probably would have remained an underemployed and limited church custodian.

It is so easy to see the obstacles and thereby forsake the opportunities that are buried beneath the rubble of adversities.  After a major natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado, does it make sense to count the pieces into which the house has been broken?  Likewise, can we effectively resolve our childhood injuries by incessantly analyzing them?  By getting the people who have harmed us to capitulate to the exact details their dastardly deeds, will we find the healing and liberty that we desire?  Rather, I posit that we stand to gain more from the experience when we determine that we shall convert our adversities into advantages.  “Tough times do not last; tough people do.”  Conquering and transforming difficult episodes builds character and hope within us.  Moreover, it assures us that we possess the internal resources to face every daily challenge with the fortitude that undoubtedly results in our success. 

Work the solution instead of the problem!