First, a problem once shared is half solved. Not so? Or is it? Well, it depends on who you share it with and what they do about it (if any). Even then, bottling up your problems doesn’t make you any better. Secondly, sharing your problems doesn’t make you weak; it only shows the trust you have for others. However, ALWAYS sharing only PROBLEMS is not a trust issue; it shows your corrosive appetite for negativity.
My friend and fellow trainer Joan Mugenzi said, “There are people whose [social media] walls seem like there’s nothing positive happening in their lives. Positive begets positive and the reverse is true.” This was in response to my question: “Why allow people force you to remember and share your problems with them just so you don’t look like you have none?”
Here is an important truth: There are many problems all of us have gone through and we all handle them differently. But it is amazing how at times you’re just under pressure to “share your problems too” so that you fit in a culture / club / association that believes in everyone sharing their PROBLEMS.
While some of us often step on our problems and focus our eyes on the opportunities, you find that many in those environments are visibly not interested either in knowing which opportunities you see, or stepping forward to utilize any of them. But they’re waiting for you to “please share YOUR problems too”.
Of course some people have gone to an extent of saying do NOT share your problems with ANYONE because while some don’t REALLY care what you go through, others are glad you’re going through it — and even the remaining percentage is busy thinking about their own problems! This statement doesn’t represent my own position at all, but I think it has some point to think about!
Personally, I strongly believe that sharing is caring. I share and allow others to do so. My only issue is this: Must every sharing be about PROBLEMS? Why can’t we, for example, start to share the blessings we’ve got, the opportunities we’ve seen, and even the food we’ve harvested from our gardens?
I will make this disclaimer again: This is neither about burying problems as if they don’t exist nor about being too secretive to let other people into one’s life. No. But having seen what our past has been, time has come to force our minds to “think on THESE things” (see Philippians 4:8 for THESE things) and only pick out one or two that are worth ruminating about.
So here is my verdict: Have people in your life with whom you share deep issues in your life but please do NOT allow them to put you under pressure to share problems always!
The underlying principle in all this is: WHATEVER YOU FOCUS ON WILL EXPAND FOR YOU!
- Focus on problems, and you will get a good bundle.
- Focus on opportunities and blessings, and your eyes will be exercised enough to spot many more. Period.
- For once, endeavour to be positive today or else try your level best to keep your mouth shut. It may save your destiny better!
So, anything positive today?
#YouWillManage
| Live . Love . Lead |
