Imagine two people faced with the same unexpected challenge. One quickly reacts to the situation, builds stress, and is hastily trying to find the best solution to resolve the issue. The other stays calm, takes his time, thinks over the challenge thoroughly before testing plausible solutions.
Which one would you prefer to solve a problem you have?
When we face a new problem, it’s easy to let the anxiety creep in. It’s human nature. We think we need to release a stressful amount of energy to focus on the problem. If we didn’t have it, how would we put enough attention to solve it?
But we also know we’d prefer the person who looks at the fire and reacts calmly and smoothly to the situation. Because they have the situational awareness to know what’s best.
When I was in my meditation retreat, a lesson that was often told to us was when facing any challenge, simply tell yourself, “Well that’s interesting”.
The idea is that you’ve learned to disassociate yourself with that problem. Because it’s not your problem. It’s not going to kill you or harm you (most likely). It’s simply a problem to solve. And an interesting problem at that.
If we can look at our rising challenges and say “Well that’s interesting”, not only may we be less anxious and happier instead, we may also be better posed to solve the problem at hand.
