Dear friends,

Welcome to my thoughts. This week I felt I should share with you my views on the issue of daily problems. No one in this world is free of problems and some have more than others.

You have been busy this week and I am convinced that most of you can think of one or two problems. Solutions can be difficult and complicated. With time, you can learn to avoid a few but some can be really heavy to carry, especially when you are not in control of the situation. This is the stage when a problem can become really stressful.

How do I tackle my problems? Simplicity! It's easy and the solution starts from the word itself. In my vocabulary of words and thoughts I have dismissed the word 'problem' altogether. I have wiped it entirely from my mind as it is now a word that has a stigma. I now think about challenges and not problems.

It's amazing how one word can be so powerful. This simple word puts me in a completely different frame of mind. I am no longer forced to look down into the ground under the weight of the problem. I am now looking
straight ahead with my eyes wide open looking for a clue. I have now heightened my senses, looking for paths that lead to a solution.

The next step is awareness of my limitations. This helps me steer away from challenges. I am aware that my mind, like my body, has limitations. I can only lift a certain amount of weight and the same goes for the mind. It can only handle a fixed amount of thoughts. Once my mind is loaded, I can become tired and irritable.

At the end of the day, after several hours of thinking, I convince myself that I am now close to my mental limit. I make an effort to cool down and increase my tolerance towards the people around me. I become aware
that if I talk without due consideration, I can end up in trouble. I feel for the people around me who might possibly be mentally tired as well.

At the end of the day I make a quick resumé of all the things I could have done better and I think about ways to improve next time round. Then I sleep in peace prepared for another day. Sleep is scheduled in the clock of every one of my cells and quietly they prepare for another busy day.

I wish you all an open heart and an open mind.

Sincerely

Kevin

Kevin Schembri is a cardiothoracic surgeon.