To Understand Yourself, Understand Your Problems

Sometimes, we can feel overwhelmed by life, feeling as though small problems are bigger than they should be or that we lose control of ourselves and the outcomes we wish to achieve. Whether it’s based on a bad day or a bad year, the solutions are always easier than they seem and yet we fail to see them so clearly.

We often think deeply about the problems we face, try to understand its source or seek others for help and support. But what if you were told that these solutions were the wrong approach to solving the struggles we encounter? In fact, if these were the right solutions then you would be in the perfect place in life, never feeling helpless, alone, or confused without the knowledge and strength to overcome your difficulties. When we dwell on illness, debts, failure, or relationship issues, we plunge ourselves more deeply into a well of overwhelming problems. When we try to think about the root cause of our troubles, we often ignore that our minds and perspectives are biased and erroneous. And when we seek others for support, we often seek the help in those who confirm that we are in the right and ignore the fact that our own past actions are what created our current situation.

Building resentment, frustration, anger, or sadness as well as deciding not to decide or deciding not to care are all false coping mechanisms that we regularly use when we are faced with dilemmas. There is only one solution that exists and that is to find resolution, regardless of how big or small the problem is.

Resolution is the act of creating positive outcomes out of negative events by becoming proactive. Although it’s true that a problem is only a problem if you see it as such, and that having a positive attitude in life generates positive circumstances, but how many times have you tried to take hold of that positive attitude only to find yourself denying the problem you need to face? The true challenge in becoming proactive is in seeing challenges in life as opportunities to learn and grow. No matter how traumatizing or mundane a problem is, there’s always a purpose for encountering a roadblock and appreciating that purpose is the key to overcoming it.

In the new book, The Evolutionary Glitch, Albert Garoli clearly outlines the root of the problem-causing patterns we have in our lives. Going far beyond enhancing one’s problem-solving capacity, improving self-esteem, creating motivation and determination for constructive change, decreasing stress and developing positive personal relationships, this book provides you with the solution you need to make the most out of life. To understand yourself, understand your problems.

The following are just five principles from my new self-challenge book The Evolutionary Glitch. Don’t just accept them as written here but try them out and use their effect as the lesson to learn.

1. Wisdom: The capacity to produce understanding and good judgment after evidence. Only when you truly comprehend the reasons behind events can you produce a valid opinion on them. Otherwise, your opinions will be partial, biased, and often erroneous.

2. Integrity: The adherence to moral attitudes, beliefs, and principles with commitment and dedication to something or someone, producing a reliable, strong, and trustworthy character. For others to trust you, you must learn to trust yourself. Listen to your heart, not your mind.

3. Sincerity: The honourable and honest attitude that draws respect and admiration from others. When you are fully open, truthful and transparent, your actions will speak volumes to those around you. In turn, you will receive earnestness and deep affection from them.

4. Empathy: The gentle, compassionate, and benevolent consideration and care for others. By truly understanding others can one better understand the self and with selfless kindness one develops the potential to bring the most positive out of life. The more you give, the more you receive; but you should not want to receive in order to give.

5. Respect: The attitude of modest demureness and good mannerism that allows the adhesion to and acceptance of a mutually considerate behaviour. To respect one’s self, we must respect the people and environment around us. To ignore this would be to ignore the value of the self in connection with the world.