The past few months I have learned to fall in love with problems. Many different types of problems. Some in human form. Some in a global form. Some in the form of health care and elder care. I even experienced a problem shaped like a mouse, many mice, real mice, that found their way into my home due to internal building construction.
Each week I tried to renew my focus and my attention, so I could manage the impact of all these challenges. I received a few subtle lessons along the way. My mice problem was insidious. I woke up every morning to find dark, black droppings on the kitchen counter, the stove, in the sink and in our closets. They multiplied and terrorized our home and our dog for weeks. There were exterminators, traps, peppermint oil, repeated calls to management and to the Super of our building. I needed another tactic. Talking to mice nicely and asking them to leave your home is not effective. Subtracting one thousand dollars from my rent check was. Within in 24 hours ,a team of experts, the Super, the building manager and myself solved the problem. Every hole was plugged and the Little Mouse Roared no more.
The biggest lesson I learned is that all problems eventually change form or take residency across the hall. My 77 year old neighbor has more than three blind mice roaming around her apartment. I shared my tactical efforts with her.
However, just when you think your problems are redirected and resolved, they revisit to remind you that you better make sure you do everything you can to keep steady, balanced and ready for the next storm. I don't think this a negative perspective. I'm starting to see the difference in welcoming and entertaining problems that arise in my relationships, with clients and with the healthcare system. It's another opportunity to learn, to get creative and speak to people that can guide you and answer your questions. Be grateful for these problems, because you become the solver. Problems help us to make sense of our lives and a gain deeper awareness of our place in this world.
Remember, there will come a time when you believe everything is finished, that will be the beginning. What you allow, is what will continue.