What a problem is and what a problem is not and what you can do about it

by gubberningbody 4 Replies latest jw friends

  • gubberningbody
    gubberningbody

    Let X be - a "situation", "circumstances", "state of affairs" or anything else in the world "out there".

    Let Y be - the way you'd like X to be.

    Let Z be the delta. The perceived relationship between X and Y and the resulting delta IS the problem.

    In other words...

    A "problem" is your emotional response to what you imagine (rightly or wrongly) to be "out there".

    It's a discrepancy between your perceptions as to X and Y.

    (The way things are, and the way you'd like them to be)

    Another thing about problems is that the source of these "problems" is ALWAYS current.

    They are NEVER things that happened in the past. This is because the "problem" is Z, your measurement.

    What can you do?

    You can remeasure X. Perhaps your measurements were incorrect.

    You can change Y, your expectations as to what X ought be.

    You can try to make X conform to Y.

    You will likely do all three, but in all this you should remember that the "problem" is Z - you and your expectations/measurements as to X.

    You do have control.

    Don't be a victim, because you are not.

  • bluecanary
    bluecanary

    The first three of the Buddha's Four Noble Truths:

    1. Life means suffering.

    2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

    3. The cessation of suffering is attainable by ridding oneself of attachment.

  • cantleave
    cantleave

    A problem is easily explained without numerical equations - life sometimes sucks.

  • quietlyleaving
    quietlyleaving

    You will likely do all three, but in all this you should remember that the "problem" is Z - you and your expectations/measurements as to X.

    yup - the story of our lives

  • yesidid
    yesidid

    And as somebody else said:

    It's all about expectations!!

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit