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
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
How quickly we forget. We are only a few weeks... Read More
What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?Are you a perfectionist?Do... Read More
Procrastination is a delay tactic that has the ability to... Read More
I've always heard that "public speaking" is the number one... Read More
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
How are things going for you? Are you sitting on... Read More
Throughout my life I have observed many things and I... Read More
Many humans are motivated by the thought of doing something... Read More
Hello again to you my loyal readers. My very first... Read More
It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More
Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is... Read More
Believe it or not, values are in the core of... Read More
It's a very strange concept. When you are in a... Read More
Tony Robbins has been an inspiration for millions. Love him... Read More
As best I can tell hereā??s how it breaks down.Some... Read More
Everyone has something, whether it be a habit, or aspect... Read More
Don't you just hate it when people make excuses for... Read More
Are You a "Right-Fighter"?Do you find yourself struggling to "win"... Read More
Q. I've been working on a big project for a... Read More
Are you feeling bored or restless? Do you need to... Read More
Be careful what you believe because that is what you... Read More
We often find ourselves in a situation in which we... Read More
In this article I'll talk about the reason that stops... Read More
Do you sometimes have the feeling that you're running into... Read More
Do you have a dream? Or do you just have... Read More
The grit of life is hard to swallow. You make... Read More
I don't know who said it or where I heard... Read More
Man, I love to procrastinate! And I'm pretty darn good... Read More
I was having coffee with my friend the other day.... Read More
Now, the Fun Part. It is nigh time to find... Read More
One of the few things that are constant in this... Read More
Why am I constantly putting things off? Why don't I... Read More
Who are we, standing here on this planet, looking for... Read More
I often meet people who say things like, "I've been... Read More
How often have you struggled with yourself over the work... Read More
It has been said that "if you are not growing,... Read More
Some people respond to being yelled at and even sworn... Read More
The physical journey mirrors very accurately the spiritual journey of... Read More
Many humans are motivated by the thought of doing something... Read More
When talking with people about their life, or their job,... Read More
Persistence will carve you as a leader in your industry.... Read More
"Know Yourself" That's what the big guy said way back... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their... Read More
Motivation is the elusive elixir. Not only does it help... Read More
Some people, after they reach their mid and upper adult... Read More
H appiness depends upon your outlook on life.A ttitude is... Read More
Several years ago, my husband introduced me to some potential... Read More
I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself... Read More
No matter how hard you try to make them otherwise,... Read More
Each and every day, all of us continually search for... Read More
"There are only two ways of bringing brightness into your... Read More
It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More
I've always heard that "public speaking" is the number one... Read More
Do you find yourself sitting at work longing to be... Read More
The story is told of two boys who were walking... Read More
Imagine for a moment it's five years from now and... Read More
Your ability to perform in life is determined by a... Read More
I recently read about a survey (by the University of... Read More
Fear is the minds great mortal sin.And isn't it just... Read More
The importance of will-power is recognized by most men, yet... Read More
About that Dream...Remember your very first job? That all-grown-up feeling!... Read More
As I usually do over the Holidays, I watched one... Read More
How many times have you come up with a brilliant... Read More
In a data-driven world, facts and figures are the order... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Motivation |