What
is the best way to tackle problems that we face, and what should we do when
problems seem to besiege us from all sides?
(1)
Expect problems to happen:
If
you have a job the only way you can justify the job is that you are solving the
problems that are arising. So, expect problems. When parents have children,
they assume that their children will grow up to be the most obedient, the most
dedicated and loyal. When that doesn’t happen, they become surprised. Why did
you have false expectations?
(2)
Anticipate problems:
If
you are going uphill, you naturally anticipate that the journey will be
difficult. Similarly, if you take up a project, anticipate there will be
problems that will arise. One child texted his mother from school, “Mommy,
failed in algebra, prepare dad.” His mother texted back, “Dad is prepared,
prepare yourself.” That is the anticipation of the problem.
(3)
Face the problem:
Don’t
cover your eyes and say the problem does not exist. There was a very famous
commercial that appeared on American television many years ago of the elephant
in the room. The TV commercial showed a normal American family with an elephant
in the house. Everybody was going about their works as if the elephant did not
exist. The problem was there but people were refusing to recognise it as such.
Once you face the problem.
(4)
Keep a proper perspective:
Think
of people who have bigger problems. Some people say, “I am so upset.” When they
are asked, “Why?” “Three days ago this person said that to me.” “My, my, my, is
that the end of the world?” Think, if we were born a few decades ago and were
participating in the world war-II what a problem we would have had to face. So,
put the problem in its proper perspective.
One
girl left home to go to college for the first time. She was living in the
dormitory there and after three months she wrote her first letter to her
mother. She said, “Mommy, I need to confess one month after I reached the
dormitory I made a serious mistake. I stole $50 from my neighbour’s cupboard.
With that I rented a motorcycle. Unfortunately, I had an accident. I drove into
a lamppost and broke my thigh bone. But Mommy, there was nothing to worry
because a handsome doctor down the lane took me into his house to nurse me. And
Mommy, we have fallen in love. We have decided to get married and I need to
inform you that in the process of nursing me my husband-to-be has lost his job.
So, after marriage we both are going to come and stay with you and dad. I am
sure you will enjoy his company even though he belongs to a different religious
tradition.” Now, the mother reading this note her hair started standing on end.
“Oh God! What has happened to my darling child?” However, the daughter
concluded the letter “Really mommy, none of this is true. The only thing that
has happened is that I have got an F in calculus. I wanted you to see it in the
proper perspective.” So, put the problem in its place. It is not the end of the
world.
(5)
Learn from it:
To
fall in the water is not a problem, but to remain there in the problem. Similarly,
to face challenges and obstacles in life is alright provided we keep learning,
and we keep growing. Once Swami Mukundananda was walking down the street, and
he saw a neighbour with his ears swollen walking the other way. He asked him, “Champak
bhai, what happened to you?” He said, “Swamiji, I was ironing my clothes and
the mobile rang. Unfortunately, I picked up the iron and put it on my ear that’s
how the ear got swollen.” Swamiji said, “Champak bhai, how come the other ear
is also swollen?” He said, “Swamiji, that stupid person rang up once again.”
That
is not what should happen. You made a mistake, learn and move ahead from it.
When we do that, we realise that problems are really opportunities, and
challenges that provide us the environment to grow from within.
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