Bipolar: Problems are Solutions in Work Clothes

Hi,

I heard an expression the other day that I thought was really neat: “Problems are just solutions in work clothes.” I mean, everybody has problems, right? Whether you have bipolar disorder or not, or whether you’re a supporter to someone who has the disorder or not. Everybody has problems.

But you know how some people seem to be able to handle their problems better than other people handle theirs? Well, that’s why I like this expression so much. To me it’s having a positive attitude toward solving your problems. And for people with bipolar disorder and their supporters, that’s very important.

But let’s talk about that expression: “Problems are just solutions in work clothes.” Let’s compare solving problems to working in a garden. In your garden, you might have the most beautiful flowers in the world, right? But they wouldn’t come without a lot of hard work, would they? You would have to clear away a lot of weeds to get to the beauty of those flowers, wouldn’t you? Well, what if you let the weeds and pests overwhelm you and depress you and make you give up? You wouldn’t have that beautiful garden, now, would you?

See, problems are like that. Some are easy to solve. But others are harder to solve. The solutions are, like the saying says, “in work clothes.” You have to work at them, like the person in the garden. The solution is going to be a little harder to find. But it’s there somewhere! You just have to get all the weeds and pests out of the way first so you can see clear to the answer to your problem, and you’ll have “beautiful flowers” (the solution)! You just can’t give up too soon. You have to work hard at it. You have to try something, and if that doesn’t work, you have to be willing to try something else. And if that doesn’t work…Even try something else. But don’t give up trying. Then, eventually, you WILL find the right solution to your problems!

I’m not saying it’s easy. No problem is easy to solve. Otherwise it wouldn’t be called a problem, right? I’m just saying it CAN be done. Having a positive attitude is the right approach to take.

And also having perseverance…That “never give up trying” approach. You may need to try many different solutions before you find the one solution that works for your particular problem.

There are several different approaches you can take to problem solving. I like the one where you brainstorm all possible solutions to your problem. Then number the solutions in order of possibility, of being a reasonable solution, of being the best solution to your problem. Then out of those, choose the best solution to your problem.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

 

Dave

 

  1. Dave,

    Today I am wearing my “biological mother”; I am the one who needs this lesson the most!!!!

    Now that’s works!!! Listen! the neighbors know me soooooo well!!! they are like she’s the only one that can learn this lesson of the past

    Vacate your Mom’s marriage, kids, and job and live your own and at that point you will find the solution that your sister already sought.

    I know trigger payback – I am wearing a bun to celebrate my sister dreaming of our tenants and my sister wearing all her other sister’s boyfriend’s problems!

    I wanted to know why?

    You must love your neighbor as you love urself

  2. This has got to be a first it is actually 3:15 in the city I glanced at the News and they were featuring Goats.

    My entire household gets it – problem was the “role assumed” wear!!!! I betta start strippin then Yikes! I dont want to be a problem coming at anyone! no one needs more work in addition to all they have as it is. I’m sticking to the first impression – the solution!

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