Problems with a Rider!

Probably Indian sub-continent middle-class may quickly relate themselves to this image, while those enjoying foam baths may not be able to scrub their heads. Let me quickly explain the process – You start using a soap bar, with time it looses weight, reaches to a stage when you tend to start handling it as if it was a new-born “Kiddo” – with slightly extra-pressure, either it will change the shape or with a tad bit mishandling, you may end-up struggling to pick it up from the floor. Then one day you get a new soap bar “Newbie”. You carefully Paste-Press the “Kiddo” on top of the “Newbie” and your days continue. Slowly the “Kiddo” disappears and you are left with quarter-used “Newbie” (think why quarter used? :))

So this is a simple, resourceful story of a soap in typical Indian homes. Least wastage, maximum usage! But you might be wondering why am I explaining all this, what is its relevance to your life? Why am I trying to wash away your time with this silly soap story when you don’t even bother, isn’t it? There’s a reason and a sense that I am trying to setup, which I wish to share with you all.

Life is never an easy path to tread on, it is natural to have problems in various spheres of this journey, be it related to health, wealth, family, personal, educational, blah, blah, blah! Irrespective of the categories, we always strive hard to solve or fix them, and with time, things get better. But then suddenly new problem(s) may crop up! Very few people may say they don’t have problems in their lives, but I am not talking of those fews, but manys, who face such troubles or adversities often. And it may happen that you may have one problem at a time or possibly few together. Also there are priorities on the problems, my financial or health are foremost, while to my neighbours – I give a damn about it, still they are a problem. My office situation is urgent, but then monthly budget has hit the ceiling. Your spouse could also be (NOT) a problem, since we usually run this instance in background. Anyways, you may list all them later, so now let’s evaluate a bit deeper.

Focus on the image once more. What do you see? A SOAP, but it has 2 soap pieces – big and small – latter riding on top of the other. Now if you were supposed to use this soap for bathing, you need to focus more on the bigger chunk, firmly holding it in hand and use it maximum to rub on your body. While the smaller one, you gently hold with little care so that it does not slip away. Now imagine, SOAP is problem (without classification). Now there are 2 types of problems where one is big and other is small in nature, both occurring at the same time in life. We simply need to focus more on the bigger problem, while the smaller problem can simply override along. You may question why can’t we simply throw-away the small chunk. Good enough! Give yourself the same spanking statement when small problems come in your life. Best way! But if we cannot, then we need to learn this dual riding technique.

To smartly ride problem on one another and manage your life, we need to list and classify the problems as big and small. Prioritize, rank them as per your grading system but do identify which is a bigger and which is smaller in nature at this moment. Ride the smaller on top of bigger, and start solving the bigger, with lesser focus on the smaller one. You are not solving it, but with time, it will start dissolving. Our whole focus should be on major issues while all trivial troublers should be just riding as useless riders, which have to go away automatically. These smaller issues do not require your dedicated attention, but just unfocussed attention. This gives us some space to our overwhelming mind. Be mindful, not thoughtful about these small problems, let them be pillion riders.

With this perspective, though problems will be solved at their own pace, just like soap will dissolve, but atleast we not do not worry and always keep on struggling with the smaller chunks to finish them till the finish line. Since our whole focus remains on the bigger problem, it will start eroding its wings gradually. Once the bigger problem dissolves to a comfort level, again identify if you have a relatively bigger problem to solve than the previous one now. This technique or self-awareness may bring some leeway to your thinking process and atleast help to focus on the right problem at present time rather than being upset with lot of things, solving none. I am not any scholar or expert to provide a guarantee on this stupid theory, but yeah, it is not bad to contemplate on a healthy perspective. And I trust this will help you in, if not all then atleast in few situations. So let’s start washing away our problems smartly, tactfully and keep on replacing the soap bars in your life 😀

It’s been almost months, in fact year(s) since I wrote on my blog. Hope I did not overload your minds. I am just chasing imperfections with time, I will discuss on few more perspectives in upcoming posts soon. Take care in this testing times of the pandemic. Let Covid-19 be your “Kiddo” than a “Newbie” soap! Enjoy life with care and smiles…