All of us face different kinds of problems in our daily life. But the definition of a problem and its significance differs from person to person. Some have small issues, while others have big ones. For some people, a problem is like a challenge, while for some other people, it is a complex puzzle that is unsolvable. For some, the problem is associated with an invention, while for someone else, it could be like a closed door that is difficult to open. For a few people, a problem is minuscule like a grain of sand, while for others, it is vast like an unsurmountable mountain. The perspective of looking at a problem is what makes a problem appear differently to different people. Solving a problem requires the requisite ability and talent to handle it. There are many instances in life when a particular circumstance seems problematic to us just because we ignored it earlier. If we look at it from a psychological viewpoint, the studies show that any circumstance that we face in life, whether favorable or not, presents with an opportunity to enhance our abilities.
The great philosopher Aristotle said – ‘The true meaning of a problem is not that we worry about it. Instead, we should put our full energy in resolving it to the best of our abilities.’
Our life is like a mirror, and we get good outcomes only when we look at it with a smile. In this context, we should realize what a powerful tool simplicity is. It can mitigate the innumerable problems that we encounter in life. This is why we should set aside our ego and hatred and adopt simplicity to move ahead. Each person indeed wants to live the life of his dreams, but none can be sure if the circumstances will make it possible for that to happen. When we don’t have simplicity inherently within us, we tend to complicate our lives. Pessimistic thinking fuels this process. If we aren’t a simple person, we not only fill ourselves with negative thoughts but also influence those around us. So, we must avoid negative thinking.
We can think positively only when we entertain good thoughts and think well of everyone around us. Each positive outlook is like a door that opens endless possibilities for realizing our dreams. This is a door that never closes; it is filled with light; it is that door tha leads to innovativeness in life, and this door begins to close right from the moment we resort to negative thinking. As soon as negativity enters our life, either in the form of negative thinking, negative perspective, negative attitude, Change Your Perspective of Looking at Problems or as anything else, it tends to establish in our life. It spreads darkness and clouds our thinking. Under such conditions, we stop seeing the road to our progress. As a result of pessimistic thoughts, any situation in life begins to appear as an insurmountable problem and scares us so much that we hesitate to move forward.
Negativity makes us cut our own roots and make them hollow. We not only stop at that but also set about cutting others’ roots too. It takes over the life of a person to such an extent that he is completely heartbroken, despaired, and is enveloped in a thick blanket of sadness. Slowly, he enters the clutches of depression and, at times, even ends his life.
It is observed that only a person caught in the web of negative thinking tends to commit suicide. But a person who adopts a positive outlook never thinks of ending his life because he sees innumerable ways of moving forward in life. Positivity fills his life with laughter and happiness that extends beyond himself. He spreads joy wherever he goes. If a pessimist comes in contact with an optimist, he will surely rub off his optimism. If a person filled with positive energy approaches a person with suicidal tendencies the mere presence of positivity can alter the will of the man and transform his thoughts. On one hand, negative thoughts can destroy a person’s life without a shred of doubt, while, on the other hand, positive thoughts will leave no stone unturned in bestowing happiness and solving the challenges of life. All the problems that we encounter in life are a way of improving ourselves, strengthening our resolves so that we may rise above them. But our negativity complicates the issue instead of focusing on the solution. On the contrary, positivity looks at the problem with such simplicity that they can be solved easily and quickly. The question no longer looks like a complicated puzzle but more like an interesting puzzle that the mind finds exciting to solve.
In this way, simplicity is related to optimism, while complexity is related to pessimism. With a positive outlook, even the most complex situation can be quickly brought into control. In contrast, with a negative outlook, even the simplest challenge can be transformed into a complicated one. This is why we all must strive to embrace simplicity and positive thinking instead of complexity and negative thinking. The choice is yours – do you want to get into the whirlpool of pessimism or attain the illumination of optimistic thought?
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2020 Sept-Oct
Akhand Jyoti is not merely a magazine Its an embodiment of my soul
— Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya