Faith

February 15th, 2016

 We cry. We beg. We make deals. We say we will do anything to find the solutions to our problems. We get very good at seeing our problems from every angle. We get very good at articulating our problem. We get very good at problem explaining. In fact we get so good that the solution, if it does exist, has no room to enter.

If a problem has a solution we must open a place for it’s appearance. Edison used to take a nap when no solution could be found and many times he would wake with the solution. If we keep intently focusing on the heads side of a coin we would never see the tails side even though it is so very, very close. The problem itself usually resides in chaos. The solution usually resides in relaxation. You cannot find them both in the same place.

But what if there is no solution? Understanding that there is no solution is an answer too. In that case get on with finding the courage to live with the unknowing. Maybe the solution will show up at a later date and maybe not. 

You do not have a magic wand. You are not the highest ranking being in the universe. There is a great power that “knows”. The problems in your life are for you to work on and for you to coexist with when necessary. 

If I may quote one of my favorite Sundrops – “The effort is up to you but the outcome is up to God.” Being okay with that is called Faith and Faith is a great source of both solutions and courage. Relax and give it a try. 

  

Patrick McBride’s Sundrops On Life 

(c)2016 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride 
 www.PatrickInspires.com

 
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Problems

February 9th, 2015

​ After the first few minutes, the problem is no longer the problem. The problem is just a fact like any other fact. Once you have stated and understood the problem, the only logical and beneficial step to take is to spend 100% of your time and energy on searching for a solution. Any time spent with the problem after understanding the problem is a failure on your commitment to find a solution.

Let’s say you walk out the door of your house and after a couple of steps you realize you have a problem. It is raining and you have no umbrella or rain gear. Problem stated and understood. At this point, standing out in the rain trying to ascertain why it is raining, why it is raining on you, why you didn’t know it was raining beforehand is a problem with very wet consequences. None of this thinking, analyzing and contemplation will keep you dry. Action is the solution. Focusing 100% on not getting wetter propels you back into the house quickly and outfits you with the proper attire to venture forth again. Solution.

Take each problem that you have from the minuscule to the gigantic and write it down. Understand it. Give it a number. Throw it away. Take another piece of paper, put only the number of your problem at the top and start contemplating solutions and write each one down.

A piece of paper filled with possible solutions is so much more productive than a mind filled with problems.

(c)2015 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com

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Problems

February 24th, 2014

Most people have an opinion on what’s wrong with the world and each and every part of it. Opinions are good. We need to be able to understand that there is work to be done BUT just as sure as the night follows the day, focusing exclusively on problems instead of solutions creates more problems.

When we start reading about and talking about and writing about what’s wrong we find a bunch of it. If we keep looking for what’s wrong we’ll start finding it in places we weren’t even looking. We will find what’s wrong in our relationship, our job, our children, our age, our health, where we live, how we live. Good bye happiness, it was great to know you.

We must constantly ask ourselves whether or not something is truly wrong or is it just not to our liking? We must ask ourselves have we tackled our problems before we take on the world’s problems? Have we paid enough attention to what’s right in our relationships, our country, our world? Is there good in where we live, what we do, our health our age?

Yes, there are problems and an important part of growing is learning which ones you can do something about and which ones you have to learn to live with without being consumed by them. A problem solved is a wonderful feeling and no longer a problem. A problem that is unsolvable right now and yet understood and accepted as part of your life right now is no longer a problem either. Judge your problems as they arise and don’t just add them to a list. Get rid of some, contemplate some and act on some but never, ever be identified by some. Remember, your problems are what you work on but your blessings are who you are.

(c)2014 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
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Got Problems?

October 14th, 2013

“I’m wet! I’m wet!” and the child keeps running around crying and yelling for an answer to being uncomfortably wet. Meanwhile the parent is saying over and over again “Come over here. I’ll change you into some dry clothes.” But the child can’t hear the parent’s request because the child is so completely captivated by their problem. Sound familiar?

Oh, I don’t mean does this bring up memories of children in similar situations. I’m talking about you and me all grown up and still, at times, running around shouting our problem to the world, oblivious to any answer.

In this world there are problems and there are solutions. Problems and solutions never occur together because if they did they would cancel each other out immediately. Once you understand the problem it is imperative to get away from the problem and seek the solution. That is one of the premier ways we grow.

We don’t have to constantly repeat our problem in prayer either. Heaven is not hard of hearing nor is it forgetful. A continuing prayer to see or hear a solution is all that is necessary.

The eight steps to find the solution to any problem are to 1) Understand the problem. 2) Quit blubbering and whining. 3) Quit running around shouting your problem to the world. 4) Relax, really relax. 5) Pray/ask for a solution 6) BELIEVE that the answer is forthcoming 7) Be THANKFUL that it is. 8) When you get it, share your solution with others and be unattached to what they do with that information.

Truth – there will never be an end to your problems. They are an essential part of every life. EVERYONE is working on at least one or two so take it easy on each other.

(c)2013 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
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Got problems?

April 29th, 2013

(Got problems?)

If a problem persists in your life, then at some point you must come to realize that in order to find the solution you have to change where you have been looking. The solution you seek is not going to come out of some notebook of past solutions that you have been keeping. The new solution is going to be found by going down different paths and entertaining new ideas and yes, getting a little scared in the process. It’s called growing.

As we get older, our bag of solutions, if not continually updated, gets ineffective and so we resign ourselves to having problems that have no solutions. Nothing could be further from the truth. THERE IS NO PROBLEM IN THE UNIVERSE WITHOUT A CORRESPONDING SOLUTION!

From this day forward, stop focusing on problems and start becoming solution oriented. Stop using your energy to strengthen your problems! Stop fighting against life and start working with it. Stop being against so many things and start being for what you want. You don’t have problems to fix, you have solutions to strengthen. Stop cursing the night and start celebrating the coming dawn.

Any problem, whether it be spiritual, physical, emotional or mental is just another opportunity to grow. Do you have a problem with health, relationships or money? Don’t fight it and don’t give up. Solve it. Maybe you haven’t been able to find the solution looking in all the old places well, guess what? It’s time to search some new places. What if you don’t have any support? Explore anyway. You are responsible for you. Find your own answers and embrace them. It’s scary and wonderful and exciting and amazing and best of all – you can do it!

(c)2013 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com

 

Problems

February 21st, 2011

We wish for the day that we will be free of problems and yet no life at any time is free of problems. First, let us define a problem. A problem is a challenge. We are challenged by the problem’s irritating nature to do something about it. If the problem has a solution, we are challenged to find it and the seeking and soul searching begins (both of which add immeasurably to our growth and wisdom). If we find that the problem has no solution than it is not a problem at all but a fact and we are challenged to accept it as such(a process which will involve both humility and courage).

Anyone can see that a life that is devoid of growth, wisdom, humility and courage would be a poor excuse for a life. So, to wish or to pray for an elimination of problems in our life would be to wish or to pray for a greatly diminished life. What Heavenly being would be so cruel as to grant that wish?
The answer to happiness therefore does not reside in getting free of problems but to put them into a proper perspective. Your problems are a challenge, no more no less. Find out whether there is a solution or not and act accordingly. See your problems as gdirfatmsa (hint:remove the letters d-r-a-m-a  and it makes sense!).
This physical life has an expiration date and between now and then you get to be challenged and how you handle those challenges will determine your growth, your strength, your happiness and the happiness of everyone around you. Problem? Never had them! Challenges? I’ve had a few. Thank Heavens!!

(c)2011 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride www.PatrickInspires.com