The Blessing of Problems
Channel: George Kao
Date: 2016-12-19

In an earlier video I talked about the 3 Conscious Modes of Life:

Flow
Transition
Recovery

(At bottom of this post you'll find the link to that earlier video.)

However, those 3 modes are difficult to do when you feel down, or when a particularly challenging problem has come into your life.

In those moments, you have a choice of 2 other modes of living:

The Blessing of Problems
Unconscious Negativity

Most people just go into negativity, without consciously choosing it.  And they don't see the ripple effects that such negativity has on their life, and on the lives of others around them.  

Wallowing in sadness, giving into despondency, or indulging in anger, does not serve your life. It harms it, and brings others down in negativity as well. 

You always have a choice. 

Instead of unconscious negativity, you can choose to see this:

The Blessing of Problems.

Difficulties, hardships, challenges, confusions, frustrations, failures, setbacks -- these come into your life *not* for the purpose of bringing you down. Remember this. 

Ironically, they come into your life to uplift you. It is a *gift* that is cleverly wrapped in a way you don't immediately understand. 

If you choose to see the Blessing of Problems, then you will have the positivity to do something creative to solve your problems.

Problems are there to help you tap into your resourcefulness, your creativity, and your #virtues.

Problems happen in your life to grow your muscles -- your mental, emotional, #willpower, and spiritual muscles -- so that you can be a stronger and better person.

**

Why is it that we have problems at all? 

It's because none of us are omniscient -- we make plans, we have expectations, but we cannot know all the factors in the world that will affect our plans. 

Inevitably, some (or most) of our plans or expectations will *not* work out as intended... in other words, we will experience "problems".

In life, pain is inevitable, but suffering is not. You can practice choosing *not* suffering, even when in pain. It takes practice, but each time you try, it will get a little easier in the future.

The next time you encounter a problem or experience a pain, pause right then. 

Remind yourself of "The Blessing of Problems". This can bring a bit of gratitude into your heart. *Stay open to the experience.*

Then, take a positive action, no matter how small. Do the right thing.

Each time you do the right thing, no matter how small, you grow more able to do right in the future.

Don't avoid or hate problems. Don't seek them out of course, but when they come, try to reframe it as a blessing, give thanks (as you would give thanks for all things) and let it be an opportunity to stay open, and take positive action no matter what.

**

To summarize, when things are going well, or neutral, choose between these 3:

Flow
Transition
Recovery

...to see that video, go to https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/posts/10155398481529867/

When things are *not* going well, make the choice to see it as Blessing of Problems instead of going into unconscious negativity.

You always have a choice.

"If only you could see the whole picture, if you knew the whole story, you would realize that no problem ever comes to you that does not have a purpose in your life, that cannot contribute to your inner growth. When you perceive this, you will recognize that problems are opportunities in disguise. If you did not face problems, you would just drift through life. It is through solving problems in accordance with the highest light we have that inner growth is attained."  ~ #PeacePilgrim 

**

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