As best I can tell hereā??s how it breaks down.
Some people see problems as opportunities. Understanding that getting through each opportunity puts them closer to the next one. Kind of going through life with a stair step mentality. Excited to get to the next round of new opportunities because they are seen as ā??stepsā?? along a pathway. They feel like the bigger the opportunity (problem) the better because that means a bigger step taken. With this outlook they welcome big challenges. They push ahead boldly, as though it were a sporting event in which the opportunities were the opponent.
The opportunity being the thing that must be overcome or conquered in order to move up to higher levels of competition. Thereby bringing higher levels of enjoyment. Enjoying the whole process the way one might enjoy a weekend hobby or the companionship of a loved one. These are the kinds of people who charge out of bed in the mornings because they see the upcoming day as another opportunity to be great.
Conversely there are those who donā??t ever want there to be any problems (opportunities). Believing that problems are to be avoided at all costs. In the minds of these people problems are all bad. They see the very occurrence of opportunity as a problem. They get caught up believing that itā??s the end of something rather than focusing on the new beginning that lies before them once the challenge is met. These are the people who never confront either themselves or others. They just accept. "Whatever works for you." "If thatā??s what you want."
These people donā??t realize it but they are victims. Accepting what comes instead of actively going to where they want to be. Sometimes they see themselves as peacekeepers. Which is not a bad thing to be but peacemaking would be an even higher aspiration.
Peacemakers lean into conflict. Knowing the only true way to keep peace is by resolving issues through confronting them rather than not. Martin Luther King Jr. was a peacemaker. A peacemaker would rather go through instead of dancing around things. Jesus Christ was a peacemaker. They understand going through is conquering while dancing around is avoiding. Mohandas Gandhi was a peacemaker. Avoiding is putting things off until they are so big and painful that they become, well, unavoidable. I challenge you, as I have challenged myself to stop avoiding things and deal with them. If things in your life arenā??t the way you need them to be in order to feel what you need to feel check yourself. Are you resolving or avoiding?
And so the question, Which are you, a peacekeeper or a peacemaker? Do you see opportunities or do you only see problems? Are you busy keeping the peace, or are you actively confronting and resolving those issues in your life that are calling for resolution? How do you view the challenges you are currently facing, annoyances or welcomed opportunities?
Do you look forward to and welcome opportunities that challenge and grow you in the process? Have you accepted the fact that sometimes life is not comfortable but that "real life" happens in the midst of this discomfort? Are you content to accept what life dishes out or are you scratching and clawing in the trenches to pull from life and yourself the things you want and deserve?
Which is it going to be for you, Victim or Victor? The choice is all yours.
I offer these as my final thoughts on the subject:
Those of us who are crazy enough to think we can change the world, our world, are the oneā??s who will surely do it. If you want to make your world a better place in which to live, start by seizing the opportunities that are right now before you.
Make that telephone callā?¦
Write that letterā?¦
Confront that personā?¦Then tell them you love them.
Accept that setback and move on to the next battleā?¦
Share the gift of ā??youā?? with somebody, anybody.
Forgiveā?¦
Forgetā?¦
Do somethingā?¦ Do Anything!
Live!!
Thanks for sharing your time with me. I welcome your thoughts, comments.
Live some. Love some. Learn some. Everyday.
C...
Clyde Dennis, a.k.a. "Mr. How-To" has been writing and publishing Articles and Newsletters online since 1999. Clyde's company EASYHow-To Publications provides "How-To" information on How-To do, be or have just about anything one can imagine. For more information visit http://www.EASYHow-To.com. Email correspondence for Clyde should be sent to: cdennis@easyhow-to.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Here's a bold statement:Change can be simple and easy.It really... Read More
Do you sometimes have the feeling that you're running into... Read More
Can you believe it, summer is almost over. Did you... Read More
There is one sure way to get what you want... Read More
Here's an interesting story from the world of race car... Read More
Do you ever procrastinate? So do I!I had some work... Read More
At 211 degrees, water is pretty darn hot.But at 212,... Read More
The 21-year-old rookie cop had his big chance to brag... Read More
Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More
Where do you want to be in a year? In... Read More
A few years ago, I was with 20 of America's... Read More
Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ...... Read More
I hope you're having an AWESOME week!Let me first say... Read More
How many times have you made excuses for putting off... Read More
Which of the following "explanations" have you heard (or used!)... Read More
When you think about the most successful, happy, fulfilled people... Read More
While speaking at a San Diego university recently, I was... Read More
Most of the time whenever we need to make an... Read More
A Mastermind is a group of individuals who are joined... Read More
If money is considered to be the root of all... Read More
What is the dictionary definition of a procrastinator? It is... Read More
Everyone wants success. People talk about setting goals and positive... Read More
...it is in this whole process of meeting and solving... Read More
Rather than beat around the bush and try to lead... Read More
It is counterproductive to concentrate on so many tasks that... Read More
Whatever happened to all the dreams? The wants, the desires,... Read More
I want to wish you good health, long life, success... Read More
Our friend, singer and songwriter Chuck Pyle, likes to say,... Read More
I have a confession to make - several confessions in... Read More
One of the keys to success is staying motivated because... Read More
Listen to win SalesVery few people are good listeners. In... Read More
Whether you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks or not,... Read More
I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel less... Read More
Achieving the really big goals and dreams always involves breaking... Read More
Whatever you are doing in your life at the present... Read More
One of the major obstacles to achieving goals is losing... Read More
The manifestations of motiveA man is captive within himself. He... Read More
I have a confession to make - several confessions in... Read More
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not... Read More
Our greatest growth in life comes from pushing through our... Read More
It's a very strange concept. When you are in a... Read More
There is hardly anything more personal that what motivates each... Read More
We all have excuses as to why we can't do... Read More
Words seem inadequate to describe the beauty and abundance that... Read More
It is not just new age hype, studies in the... Read More
Wherever you go, there you are. This is the title... Read More
Suggested practice to gain freedom from self-limitation.It is suggested that... Read More
Many people never start anything because they think the bus... Read More
"M" is for Motivation.What motivates you to do a good... Read More
The answer is yes, of course, right? People motivate other... Read More
You've read a book that motivates you to action; you've... Read More
Motivation is the elusive elixir. Not only does it help... Read More
I am a big proponent of balance. Everything has to... Read More
Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More
Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ...... Read More
Which of the following "explanations" have you heard (or used!)... Read More
January is synonymous with resolutions and getting organized is high... Read More
I receive many emails from people that basically ask the... Read More
For the first time in many years, Star Trek Fans... Read More
1.2.3.4.5.Well, to be frank, there are no great reasons to... Read More
Confidence: The word conjures up images of self-assurance and... Read More
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
Change your thoughts and you change your world. -Norman Vincent... Read More
Everyone has a life purpose; a unique and special something... Read More
If you really want to be at your absolute peak... Read More
I get some of my best ideas for my column... Read More
Motivation |