Your Problems Are NOT Special…

It was 90 degrees today here in Oklahoma on April 14! The sun was calling us, so my boys and I went to Copan Lake. As they played and wrestled through the water, I sat with my feet in the sand and wrote this thought for you…

I like so many others would like a life of ease, joy, happiness, love, you know all the good stuff. Yet life presents itself each day with lots and lots of problems. And you know what? You are not special!

Everyone, every day is hit with very human problems! All of us! All the time!

My problems are not more unique than yours! Nope… we are all just human, facing very human problems…

You finally get that emergency fund to where you want it and then have a major plumbing issue that sets you back.

Your car breaks down and needs thousands of dollars of repairs.

Your child ends up sick in the hospital.

You find yourself in a relationship that takes a mental and physical toll, and you feel stuck.

You have a coworker that you can’t seem to get along with no matter what you try.

Problems!!! Life is full of them, everyday human problems. You are not special!

I have been reading a book, that has a very provocative title by Mark Manson (message me and I will tell you the title if you are interested). It is EXCELLENT.

One of the concepts presented in the book is the idea that PROBLEMS actually are the road to a life of happiness and purpose.

Part of becoming and growing into ourselves is having the opportunity to use our creativity, skills, gifts, strengths, and intelligence, in productive useful ways. Problems present themselves and we use our abilities to solve them. This process creates fulfillment and purpose and in the end happiness.

I have been watching one of my dear friends parent her college-age son. He calls home with the latest “adult” problem and they navigate with him the steps of adulthood, of problem-solving, using all of who he is and the young man he is becoming, to create solutions. I am learning so much and seeing so clearly this concept in action.

Problems are a daily part of life, and they are needed. Without them, we would be absolutely bored to death!!

Recently my brother, in talking about his art and creating music, presented the principle of “falling in love with the process,” not just looking to and worshiping end results, but falling in love with the path or the road that gets you there! Including all the problems!

Truly- if we didn’t have “problems” to solve consider all the things that would not exist because no one brought their brilliance to the table to solve issues and obstacles that plague us.

As you are raising your kids and helping them become flourishing adults, or as you look at your life and are hit with the latest issue, stop and consider… how are you approaching life’s latest problems?

If you will fall in love with the process my dears, you will find what you have been looking for…the ingredients that create a life of happiness.

From My Heart to Yours,