Hi,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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,\u00a0that\u2019s very important.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0flowers 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?<\/p>\n
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\u00a0garden. 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\u00a0problem, 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\u2019t work\u2026Even try something else. But don\u2019t give up trying. Then, eventually, you WILL find the right solution to your problems!<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And also having perseverance\u2026That \u201cnever give up trying\u201d approach. You may need to try many different solutions before you find the one solution that works for your particular\u00a0problem.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But you know how some people seem to be able to handle their problems better than other people handle theirs? Well,<\/p>\n