46. Experiencing Solutions

A few self improvement books that I have read, state that solutions already exist in all of the problems that we may encounter. The suggestion is to get clear on the nature of the problem, then look for the best solution within it.  In time, inevitably a new problem will arise… doesn’t this sound like a continuous treadmill? Recently, I heard an author in conversation say, “life is not something to be solved, but to be experienced.” Though, this statement sounds like it has merit, I suspect that the truth lies somewhere in-between.

A solution focussed lifestyle feels like a life filled with purpose and action – always on the move and doing something. However, this constant ‘doing’ lifestyle, though exciting, has to have the space to experience the ‘being’ aspect too, doesn’t it? 
When I worked in Exhibition Design, we were focused on solutions that provided meaningful experiences to our museum visitors. The design was considered successful when the experience stimulated and engaged the targeted audience. We asked for feedback to help us reflect and learn, so that we could include areas of improvement in the next project.

In my observation, life automatically gives us this feedback with every action we take.  It can come in the form of gratitude which gives us joy and satisfaction, or in criticism that brings misery and feelings of failure. More importantly, not many of us realise that we can change this experience and its end result, simply by choosing a different attitude to the solution in the next encounter.