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Turning Problems into Opportunities to Learn
Sometimes opportunities are disguised as problems. Look closely.
“Every problem is an opportunity in disguise.”—John Adams
Are you able to be in a situation that’s challenging or frustrating, step back from it and think—What is the opportunity for me here? Or perhaps you may say to yourself, I’m feeling uncomfortable now. I’m not pleased. What is it I’m not seeing or learning? When situations present abrupt, unexpected and unplanned changes, it’s important to stop, seek to pay closer attention to what you may not be seeing. What is the big picture here? What am I missing?
Today, because of COVID-19 countless unintended changes have catapulted into our personal, physical, economic, and social lives. Many are confronting very difficult, adjustments and downright chaos that also comes from dealing with conflicting emotions and energy levels as a result of these changes inflicted upon us.
As I’ve mentioned before, there can be no change without learning and there can be no learning without change.
How does one tap into a positive mindset when negative things happen? How do we find the silver lining? How do we get the larger picture and perspective?
Even at the best of times many of us battle a negative mindset throughout our lives. This overly cautious, pessimistic outlook, to a degree, is there to protect us. However, this overly wary, cautious mindset can certainly get out of hand and overtake our entire worldview. This negative mindset becomes pervasive and destructive.
How do we look at the situations we are in during COVID-19 and pull out the positives? What are the opportunities for us to learn? Is there a different way of looking at life? We assume that the patterns of life will stay the same simply because that’s all we’ve known. Being forced out of our comfort zone isn’t easy. However, life is always changing. Society is always changing. The earth is always changing. The universe is always changing.
I suggest it could be helpful to write down the problems and adjustments that you’re facing right now. Beside each problem, add these 3 questions: What is the opportunity for me here? What am I to learn from this? What could I do differently? What are my choices?
Is your cellphone getting in your way? If so, you're not alone! More and more we're accessing them 24/7. To manifest positive growth in your life, I'm reminding you that it's important to step away from the phone and the screen. Take a break. That's what this week's video is about.
Is it possible that Mother Nature (Mother Earth/Gaia) has a message for you? It's as if our world has stopped so we can get off the merry-go-round and take stock of our lives.
Have you ever thought about life as a series of projects? We are all constantly learning, adapting and changing. Discover just how much you are learning all the time!
Shelley reminds us that there are messages and messengers around us all the time and it's important to take note of our surroundings and the insights that are coming to us.
