264. Solving Problems

When I’m facing several complicated problems at once, my attention can easily become unstable. I feel like I need to address every problem at the same time, and as a result, I’m not able to solve any of them very well.

In a world of constant connectivity, it can seem like every problem is always present and in need of my immediate attention. But this is never true. There is always more time than it seems, but I’m unable to see this because I’m under the control of attachment.

I’m deeply worried about my unsolved problems and the potential for them to create an even worse situation for me. My aversion to this is so strong that I’ve become attached to it, and my attention is now dominated by the demands of my various problems. As a result, everything I do becomes tense and tightly controlled as I try to manage even what is totally unmanageable.

When I have a free moment, I use it to investigate my problems further, or I try to forget about them entirely by occupying my attention with something pleasurable. Both of these behaviours are signs of distraction, where I’m trying to sooth the symptoms of attachment so that I suffer less.

By trying to fight against my aversion and the suffering it is producing, I only make my attachment to it stronger. I verify its importance by giving it my focus, even when I don’t need to do so. What I actually need is to allow concern to be present without remaining attached to it. I need to allow feelings of worry to arise and depart without trying to fight them or escape from them.

When I’m free of attachment, my attention is open and free, and this means it can go where it’s most needed in the moment. In this state, I can stay calm despite facing problems, and I can see that there is time to do what I must. I also become capable of taking the compassionate and creative actions necessary to find solutions to my problems without being overwhelmed by worry.