Creative problem solving
April 30th, 2007 by Mollie
Creative problem solving has become a very valuable tool in my life. My husband and I regularly use it to address problems that come up in our business, relationship, and various life issues.
I also use creative problem solving regularly when it comes to environmental and human rights issues and the growing need to make changes to my lifestyle that can be difficult. Sometimes the difficulty arises because I am being a stubborn mule, other times it is because I have a major or minor need or want stands in opposition to a lifestyle change I feel I need to make. To keep from getting stuck or from just not doing anything at all I have to figure out a way to get enough of what I need/want without compromising the more important need.
There are times, like when the issue of buying fair trade coffee came up for me, that I needed to decide what I was going to do about it. I evaluated the situation, and my want (I don’t think that you can ever call coffee a need in any sort of seriousness) for coffee was never going to be more important than the well being of the person(s) that work on the coffee farms and therefore I made the decision to only support fair trade coffee. This means I have to ask if it is fair trade and do research on the local coffee shops. It also means that there are times when I don’t buy a cup of coffee even though it sounds like the perfect treat. Again, when the situation of switching to florescent light bulbs came up I wasn’t thrilled about the idea. Florescent light bulbs are depressing and sterile, which is the last thing I want my home to feel like when I am snuggling in to read a book at night. My solution was to have lampshades that are warm colors and therefore, soften the florescent light and allow my home to still feel warm and cozy.
There are times where I find myself picking the wrong battles to fight, or taking the wrong stance. I get resentful at times of life being hard and feel that I am entitled to not think of other people, or the world around me. Times where I feel I have earned the right to be selfish or not make one more sacrifice. However, part of life is making various sacrifices and it is best to come to terms with that. Some sacrifices are small (like the examples I listed above) and some are large and extremely difficult. Life is not about getting everything we want and getting it right now. Immediate satisfaction does not always equal long term satisfaction, pleasure, peace, happiness, or health. I have found that in many of the sacrifices I have made have ended up bringing me such a greater depth and joy to my life.
I want to encourage you all to use creative problem solving as much as possible. The more you do it, the better you get at it. At times solutions will easily surface and other times you will have to dig for them. Let’s not get stuck because an easy solution to what we want/need and what is best for other human beings and the Earth is not presented to us. Each of us has the ability to think and it can be such a wonderful thing when used.