How Do You Handle A Problem?

It’s “Read Across America Week” this week; and who doesn’t love a good book? I’ve shared a favorite book before. Always a fan of sharing those.

Can we have a bit of table talk today? I was shopping for windows and paint and bathroom fixtures…you know the drill. Mask on. Cart sanitized. Six feet distanced. Wide open spaces. And there it was. The Book. I couldn’t resist it…“What Do You Do With A Problem?”

A Children’s book.

Or was it? I stood in the aisle. Opened the book. I read every word. Then took in every illustration. I let it settle into all the places in my heart.

You see, this author wasn’t new to me…I love so many that he has authored…and you can find them right here…

(I’m including the links for you for your shopping convenience as an Amazon Affiliate…no extra cost to you, but it will help the blog. You may find my disclosure policy here.)

Anyone have a problem lately?

Life is full of them. Lots over the past year. But can I tell you, this sweet book navigated problem solving in a whole new light.

Things like…

“one day I had a problem. I didn’t want it.”

Such a simple start to a book, and I was hooked.

As I sit with my own feet under my table this morning, I understand.

We have all been there. Done that.

Been in places that looked like nothing good could be there.

We have dealt with a problem.

As I navigated through this sweet little book, about the “whys” and “whats” of a problem…the response to the author of this book was so true.

Don’t all of us want problems to go away? Simply wish them away? Try our hand at getting rid of them? Worrying about them? Fearful that problems will swallow us alive. What if it takes everything that is important or meaningful away?

Fear addressed. Concerns faced. Worry to the surface. You see, all of that can make a problem appear larger and not disappear.

Can you relate?

At times, problems can appear to take over our thoughts. Actions. Words. Lives. And at this point, I know to turn back to the one who designed me for the answers.

Now, this sweet little book, put things truly in perspective. What if we are perhaps making our problems bigger and scarier than they truly are?

Maybe the best step is to just to face it.

Yikes! That’s a difficult conversation. Even with yourself. If you just pretend it isn’t there. Handing it over to someone else or convincing yourself it really isn’t there, you could simply crawl into a hole…Or, as that sweet author shared…

“You could discover it has something beautiful inside.”

Beautiful? What?! Something that was large and in charge. Overwhelming? Scary? Could destroy life?

Yep! It leapt from the page!

“My problem held an opportunity!”

What?!! I love opportunities. Places where I can learn and grow. As the author said,

“To be brave.”

I loved this! It is so important to view problems differently. Not fear them. Look for the good in them. Look for the learning, the growing, the joy that is truly there.

This resonated so much with me.

You see, I, too, have had problems in my life. Dealing with losing my Dad to suicide 49 years ago. Later, losing my mother. Losing a business and a home. Illness and loss of close friends and family members. Hurdles through work and professional involvement.

But, can I be honest at the table with you today? I truly know my Creator has walked beside me. Held my hand. Showed me the opportunity. Given joy in the place of sorrow.

As I began this journey with blogging…I could truly relate to the fear. So much fear. The Whys, What, and everything in between swirled.

But, I leaped. Looked at the opportunity. Jumped into a world of the unknown that I knew I had to.

You see growth comes from the opportunity.

Places where seeds that have been planted germinate, spring and grow. Growth comes from roots that grow deep; even if you can’t feel the sides of that container.

We all require a bit of tending. Watering, feeding, sunlight, and transplanting to grow to your full potential.

Maybe this little book will help you see a problem in your life that needs a bit of problem solving in a new light and as an opportunity that you can’t refuse.

And, when you see that opportunity, will you share it with me? Because table talk by yourselves is not really a conversation without others to share it with…

Then, will you pick up another of Kobi Yamada’s books…”What Do You Do With an Idea?” Brilliant; and so are Mae Besom’s illustrations. Note that sweet award in the corner!

May you find much joy in the opportunities, today, friend! Opportunities that come from your problems and ideas that are so amazing that it will astound you!