MissTick
Thingish Things

I stole this story from elsewhere…when I read it, it was like one of those Aha! moments: suddenly it became easier to put aside “why me?” and start looking at “what can I do about it”…I do not have 51 problems. I consider myself lucky in this respect. But I do have problems and I know few ways of dealing with them already. So now I found yet another way – to ”rotate” them. Yes, I might not be able to get rid of my many problems, but at least I can choose which one will be “the 52nd” for today. Which one would be the problem I’ll concentrate on and get it sorted. And if I won’t get it sorted today, well, I’ll rotate the drum and pick another from the lot. Most like a lottery drum thing – spin the wheel and pick a ball and see if it is your winning one. As much as I dislike gambling (and I do dislike it oh so much!) but since I cannot rid of the issues I have on my hands, might as well play with them instead. And who knows, one day it might just happened to be my lucky number, eh? ;-)

And here is the story:

There is a story whose origins seem lost in the mists of time that a seeker journeyed through the furthest regions of the earth to find a teacher rumoured to know the secrets to happiness, success, and well-being. When the seeker arrived at the teacher's mountain-top retreat, he eagerly awaited his audience with the reclusive teacher. Finally, his moment came.

"Why have you come?" the teacher asked.

The seeker proceeded to list problem after problem he was facing in his life. After listening patiently, the teacher sighed.

"I am afraid I cannot help you with your problems."

"Why not?" asked the puzzled and disappointed seeker.

"Because the gods have decreed that we all carry fifty-one problems with us at all time. Even if I could help you solve the problems you tell me of, they would only be replaced with fifty-one more."

The teacher paused to allow the full significance of the idea to sink in.

"I may,however," the teacher continued, "be able to help you with your 52nd problem."

"What's that?" asked the seeker.

"Your 52nd problem," replied the teacher, "is that you think you should not have the first 51 problems."