Problems as Invitations
/There are lots of problems with being human right now, but there are also a lot of invitations to reframe those problems into growth and expansion of ourselves.
We have a choice to point out problems or to see problems as invitations into new opportunities.
That person who causes problems in your life might be an invitation to learn to speak up for yourself.
A job rejection may be an invitation to explore that entrepreneurial idea you have.
A house sale falling through may be an invitation to get even more clear on what you really want.
Constraints that frustrate you might be an invitation into creative thinking of new solutions.
The job that requires too many hours and too much stress is an invitation to recalibrate your priorities.
An inability to relax is an invitation to work on calming your nervous system.
A desire for your child to do what you want them to do is an invitation to practice more acceptance and patience.
A missed sale is an invitation to fine tune your presentation and approach.
Audition or tryout rejections are invitations to hone your skills or try something different.
Traffic that won’t move when you are running late is an invitation to take some deep breaths and surrender.
The inability to make a put on Sunday is an invitation to practice more or buy a new putter. (My husband contributed that one!)
This isn’t denying the pain or struggle that a problem brings into our lives, but it is an opportunity to see what it might be asking of us or awakening in us.
Often, what appears to be a problem is really a sign of misalignment and the invitation is a shift back towards greater love for ourselves or others.
Setbacks, failure, and rejection are viewed as problems in our society, but in these moments of adversity is where our sacred growth happens. Things that humble us often transform us. Things that disappoint us remind us we don’t have control. Things that are embarrassing help us release our attachment to ego. Things that don’t go our way are often things we are grateful for later when we can see those things weren’t aligned with our soul.
At a collective level, humanity faces enormous problems today around the globe. These problems also invite us to think, evolve, innovate, and love one another in more profound ways than ever before.
This week, when you encounter a problem, try getting curious:
What is this here to teach me?
How can I become more loving in this situation?
What new strength is this calling me to step into?
What truth is this helping me see?
What is this asking me to release or shed?
How can this pain be redeemed for more compassion for myself or someone else?
This kind of reframing does not erase pain. It gives our struggles a new purpose.
Reframing does not deny difficulty, it shifts it into possibilities to live into our fullest potential.
Many of the qualities we most admire in human beings are born through problems. Compassion is born from suffering. Patience is born from waiting. Courage is born from fear. Wisdom is born from mistakes. Resilience is born from being knocked down.
When we see problems as invitations, we fear life a lot less.
Our new mantra: it’s not a problem, it’s an invitation.
And the invitation is almost always some form of love.
Onward,
