“Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems.” – Rene Descartes

Do you welcome problems when they arrive at your doorstep? Are you glad when things seem to take a lunge in the direction of the troublesome? Are you the kind of person that can see the silver lining in the clouds as they appear? Are you willing to keep digging the dirt till you find the gold? Rene Descartes was such a man!

It seems to be more than just a positive outlook that makes someone learn from their problems. It’s a heartfelt desire to learn from life, the lessons it is so willing to give you. It’s not just a cheery smile and pleasant disposition, it’s the hunger and desire to understand and to be one who has an attitude of CANI – Constant And Never-ending Improvement!

Descartes statement seems to reveal that he didn’t solve every problem that came his way, but nevertheless he learned how to deal with future problems as he dealt with the present ones whose answers didn’t escape him. Maybe you have a problem in your life right now? If you have, what are you going to do?

Are you going to roll over and play dead? Are you going to say “I don’t know what to do!” “I can’t!” or “It’s too big a problem for me!” Or with a twinkle in your eye, tenacity in your heart and a determination to not be beaten say “I will use this problem to gain more mastery over myself, my life and my circumstances!”

(Originally written by Andrew Paul Smith 25th September, 2014)