Centered Problem Solving

Problems are real. We might avoid them, but they are real. We might ignore them, but they can only be ignored until the problem is big enough to cause reactions. Problems are not pretend so our reactions must be real. We need to pay attention. We need to act. It doesn't do any good to pretend to know the solution if the solution doesn't work. -- doug smith

Problems can make me angry. It's tempting to express that anger. Sometimes it's even necessary to express that anger, in a productive and safe way. But, it's too much to expect that anger can solve the problem. Anger calls attention to its cause. When it's a problem, we notice our anger. We get motivated to react. Anger might be simply doing its best to identify a problem. Just don't use anger attempting to solve it. -- doug smith

Sometimes a solution works so well that we're tempted to use it for everything. Different problems need different solutions. -- doug smith

Personal problems might involve fewer people but can feel crushingly serious. -- doug smith