Those Problems Touch Us All

We all know people we would not want to trade places with. Their problems are too deep, too profound, too persistent. And, we can not wear a red cape all the time rescuing everything and everyone.

Or can we?

One test of whether or not we should wear that red cape is if we are part of the problem. And we might just be part of the problem if we are not willing to trade places with someone who is enduring that problem.

Name the problem. Go ahead. Pick something of a global nature: water or food shortages, conflict over territory or religion, tribal wars, climate change, banking inequities...the list is long.

People endure the effects of all of those problems. I would not want to trade places with those people. Would you?

Centered problem solvers consider how they can help solve problems even when those problems do not involve them. Because, eventually, those problems touch us all.

-- Doug Smith