Problem Solving

A little girl went into school one Monday morning and told her teacher that her parents had won the lottery. Her delighted teacher announced it to the school. The good news got around.

The truth was that the girl had made up the story. Her parents hadn’t won the lottery. Mum had to go into school. The little girl had to confess that she’d made it up.

Folks sometimes say, ‘If I win the lottery, then all my problems will be solved.’

I was brought up to be active – cycle to school, play sport, work hard. Church was about activity – serving others, preaching the gospel, practising your faith.

I trained, worked, got married, bought a house. My life has always been about doing stuff – the next musical production, building project, appointment. Problems are solved by activity and effort.

Some emphasise looking after ourselves; teach our children to be self-sufficient, independent. Our own physical fitness, mental health and happiness is our priority.

Sometimes we need to be pampered; ‘spoiling yourself’ is good for you. Adverts say, ‘Take a holiday you deserve it’. Problems are solved by looking after ourselves.

Somewhen in my life the idea of ‘work-life balance’ came about. Work hard and play hard. At times you must stop. Take it easy. De-stress from the pressures of life.

Balance work and activity with relaxation; balance service with sabbath. Problems are solved by getting the balance right.

In the Sound of Music’s song ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria’ Maria’s a problem… her lack of care, punctuality, seriousness… she’s ‘A flibbertigibbet! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown!’ She doesn’t fit in.

The song concludes: ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?’ Maria isn’t a problem that can be solved!

Perhaps sometimes problems aren’t there to be solved – by work-life balance, self-care, activity or the lottery. Like Maria, they’re to be lived with, learnt from and perhaps even enjoyed!