Discussion Question: Is a problem still a problem if you don't think it's a problem?
Discussion Question: Is a problem still a problem if you don't think it's a problem?
thinking a problem isn't a problem is the problem
I don't think its a problem personally because only when you think its a problem it is a problem if you don't then their is nothing to be worried about or to be bothered about to be exact.
@Laura
I think every situation can be perceived in two lights: it is a problem, or it is an opportunity. Granted situations that present themselves as challenges will more often be perceived as a problem than an opportunity but there is always a positive in everything. It's ties in with the analogy of whether the glass is half empty or half full. It is the exact same glass but perceived in two different ways.
When we lose someone we love through a breakup it can be devastating but it is also an opportunity to meet someone who will fit us better; when someone is diagnosed with an illness, it is an opportunity for them to get the treatment that they need; when we fall and injure ourselves, it is an opportunity to take a break and rest. I believe there is always opportunity in everything, even the most challenging of situations.
The way we perceive things will directly define the issue. A problem is only a problem unless we find a solution or see the opportunity; then the very same glass we started off with becomes something else; an opportunity for change, for growth or for learning. And the good news is that if all things fail, we can rest assured in the knowledge that a glass half empty can always be filled up! :)
It really depends on the situation. What I think, though, is that if one believes it to be a problem it's more Likely to become a problem. The way people look at things do influence the things they do. If they think of themselves and their lives as problematic, whatever they feel is likely to become a problem or even more of a problem than it was before.
@Laura
Well, then who says it's a problem? If in my opinion something is not a problem, then there's no need to see it as a bad thing or overthink about it. In the end everyone has different ideas (:
It depends on the seriousness of the situation.
If a piano is falling from the sky and you're underneath it, you've got a problem whether you think it or not.
But less serious things, like infertility as mentioned earlier, or let's say, being poor, don't have to be thought of as a problem, and life can continue.
@condemnedself Pardon my butting in here, but you may want to rethink how you have phrased your conjecture here. Are you saying that when I lost my job, my house, and my entire family, and was so poor I lived in my car, that my poverty was either a minor problem, or not a problem at all? That seems a little skewed in my opinion. I DO see what the meaning BEHIND your statement might be, and do not 100% disagree that the perception of a problem is at the heart of SOME problematic concerns. However, every case for every person, about every problem/ not problem will be different. And perhaps the key here is treating each issue on an individual basis.
Thanks for letting me add my 2 cents.
A problem sometimes is seen better from an outside picture than an inside picture. When we have the problem, or are in it, we see it as the person who is "used" to it. People outside from us, can see it as it truly it. They have a saying that says "monkeys don't smell the stink in their cell" and it applies, strangely, to here. Don't judge me, we're not monkeys stinking in a cell, it's just a metaphor. But that's what's like. We don't see, sometimes, how things truly are. Not because we're dumb or pretending there's not a problem.. just mostly because we grown with it, and it grew with us, and we... just don't see it.
Sometimes... because sometimes the other person can have a problem with something we do, but we don't. That's due to moral questions, that's all.
@eviesweet We do also all need to remember that no one-- NO ONE-- can be entirely objective about anything. We all come to the table with previous perceptions about people, situations, ethics, and so on. So, please be cautious in assuming that someone outside of our heads or life experieince will be totally objective about what they see. It's like asking Donald Trump to give a struggling but hard-working single mom advice on how to balance her budget. Do you honestly think Trump's gonna be able to leave his own biases at the door before responding objectively? That's merely a flippant example, but hopefully, you get my point.
@ladylazarus1971 That's why I said due to moral questions (about someone's way of thinking, life experience, etc) we can't always always be sure if the outsider will be right in their thoughts. It's the last line in my answer, and briefly explains what you said. But thank you for your input.
@Laura Many things are indeed a matter of perception however, ignoring something that could potentially blow up later is not a good idea. In identifying a problem I ususally use the Goals/Barriers chart I found on "Skills you need". A way to identify and structure problems. I don't always use a paper sometimes I just run it through in my head. It works for me because it puts the goal FIRST and not the problem. So identifyl the goal... decide if its really a problem. If not... move on! No drama :)
yes it is as long as the person thinks its a problem
A problem will always be a problem even when you don't think it is. When you don't think it is anymore, you just fooled yourself into thinking that it's just who you are or is just a part of life.
@John04
I agree with u.
Just because you don't think about it or ignore it, will not make the issue or situation go away, could actually make it worse in some cases.@John04
@bookman1435
thats the thing. If, for example, you ignore a drinking problem, it gets worse since you don't look at it as a problem. You just say it's who you are
@John04 agreed