Dealing with difficulties
- Suffer them. I can handle them.
- Expect them. They happen all the time.
- Be aware that a different view of a difficulty may lessen or change it of a gift. Consider other possible view of the difficulty.
Be aware that even if a difficulty is painful or bothersome, it may still be a doorway to something new and better. Our friend remarked that the daily contemplative exercises which come along are not always attractive. But she finds that quite often that the ones that seem candidates for skipping are the ones that turn out to have the best payoff.
Consideration of a difficulty can be extended with an attack of questions. Why me? How long is this problem likely to be around? What have other people said about this difficulty? (Those who have it; those who used to have it, if any; those whose loved ones have this difficulty. There may be even some who feel that such a difficulty is the fault of the person who has it.
When I think of careful thinking about a difficulty, all the great philosophers from all ages, sexes, nations and religions come to mind. So does the simple, direct work of Byron Katie, a woman who uses basic questions about an irritant to try to put it in a more helpful light. Click this link to see her simple, quick and inexpensive steps that help many people including herself.
http://thework.com/thework.php
Try this link to see her work on a stage in public with a young woman.
http://www.byronkatie.com/2012/02/the_work_of_byron_katie_he_owe.htm
Notice the part that writing ideas down on paper plays in clarifying one's thinking and viewpoint.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
