The next few days were spent in careful observation of a variety of healthcare providers and patients. Since I

Before we can discuss problems from an intelligent perspective let's first some basic criteria as to their nature.

First. Everyone has them
Second. No one wants them
Third. They always come when we want them the least.
Fourth. They always come from the direction in life that needs our attention the most.
Fifth. You can't run and hide from them for very long.
Sixth. Other people always seem to have fewer or easier problems.
Seventh. Problems are neither positive or negative. They are neutral.
Eighth. It doesn't matter what you call them i.e. opportunities, situations or challenges or problems.
Ninth. They are not a respecter of ignorance or arrogance.
Tenth. Once you solve one, there is another one waiting around the next corner.

Have you ever noticed that a problem to one person, regardless of its nature or gravity, is often not perceived as a problem to another person. Have you ever noticed that often the simplest routines and issues in life are traumatic problems for some people. And have you ever noticed how some people are crushed by problems while other people get better, stronger and wiser because of their problems.

Let me give you a recent example out of my life.

I recently spent several days in a Chicago Hospital. It was a visit that I was unaware that I would be making until the very day of my admittance. Seven days confined to a hospital bed with a variety of tubes and hoses connected to me limiting my freedom and mobility. There were constant interruptions and distractions. I had hoped to get some writing done during this time period, but no such luck. Since my philosophy of life is that everything that comes into my life is a teacher, I spent the first few days reflecting on what were the lessons in this emergency situation.

The next few days were spent in careful observation of a variety of healthcare providers and patients. Since I d

Have you ever noticed that a problem to one person, regardless of its nature or gravity, is often not perceived as a problem to another person. Have you ever noticed that often the simplest routines and issues in life are traumatic problems for some people. And have you ever noticed how some people are crushed by problems while other people get better, stronger and wiser because of their problems.

Let me give you a recent example out of my life.

I recently spent several days in a Chicago Hospital. It was a visit that I was unaware that I would be making until the very day of my admittance. Seven days confined to a hospital bed with a variety of tubes and hoses connected to me limiting my freedom and mobility. There were constant interruptions and distractions. I had hoped to get some writing done during this time period, but no such luck. Since my philosophy of life is that everything that comes into my life is a teacher, I spent the first few days reflecting on what were the lessons in this emergency situation.

The next few days were spent in careful observation of a variety of healthcare providers and patients. Since I

Have you ever noticed that a problem to one person, regardless of its nature or gravity, is often not perceived as a problem to another person. Have you ever noticed that often the simplest routines and issues in life are traumatic problems for some people. And have you ever noticed how some people are crushed by problems while other people get better, stronger and wiser because of their problems.

Let me give you a recent example out of my life.

I recently spent several days in a Chicago Hospital. It was a visit that I was unaware that I would be making until the very day of my admittance. Seven days confined to a hospital bed with a variety of tubes and hoses connected to me limiting my freedom and mobility. There were constant interruptions and distractions. I had hoped to get some writing done during this time period, but no such luck. Since my philosophy of life is that everything that comes into my life is a teacher, I spent the first few days reflecting on what were the lessons in this emergency situation.

The next few days were spent in careful observation of a variety of healthcare providers and patients. Since I

Let me give you a recent example out of my life.

I recently spent several days in a Chicago Hospital. It was a visit that I was unaware that I would be making until the very day of my admittance. Seven days confined to a hospital bed with a variety of tubes and hoses connected to me limiting my freedom and mobility. There were constant interruptions and distractions. I had hoped to get some writing done during this time period, but no such luck. Since my philosophy of life is that everything that comes into my life is a teacher, I spent the first few days reflecting on what were the lessons in this emergency situation.

The next few days were spent in careful observation of a variety of healthcare providers and patients. Since I

The next few days were spent in careful observation of a variety of healthcare providers and patients. Since I do a great deal of work for clients in the healthcare field, this was a wonderful opportunity to experience first hand a great deal of situations that one day will become illustrations in a speech or seminar.

The last few days were spent reading, writing and thinking. I wrote a number of articles for this newsletter, several chapters in my new book on relationships and I read two great books.

Looking back the time, in spite of the interruptions, was very productive. This hospital stay was an inconvenience. But it was also a great opportunity to learn a great deal about life, myself and my world.

Other people that I chatted with saw only the negatives not the lessons.

Let me give you one other great illustration that a fellow speaker shared with me several years ago.

He was driving on a turnpike and stopped to pay the toll when he noticed that the attendant seemed unhappy, sour and generally unpleasant. When he asked him what was wrong, he didn't have allot of time for a lengthy dialogue, the attendant replied, "how would you like to spend eight hours a day in a vertical coffin?" Several miles up the road he stopped for another toll and found a young man smiling, happy and with a generally pleasant disposition. He asked him why he was so happy and his reply was, "mister this is such a great job, I get to spend all day in a classroom listening to self improvement audio tapes." What a contrast of attitudes about problems.

Well let's get to the discussion at hand.

What are problems. Why don't you select which definition you like best.

One, they are a wake-up call to change something