Look closer to find the answers

Allow me to recite several short stories that hopefully will help us to see some of our problems clearer. At times we are too close to a problem and as a result fail to see the obvious answers before our eyes. In my articles, my objective is to get you to think and examine our situations and draw your own conclusions. We need to question and think about the things that are happening in our islands. And your concerns about them will surely lead you to the solutions. Don’t blindly accept what someone else is throwing at us. Question it! Demand sound answers with solid action.

Take for instance the following story which most of us may already know. Consider how this person solved what appeared an insoluble problem.

In 333B.C., as Alexander the Great was leading his armies across Asia, he reached the city of Gordium in Phyria. There he was shown the chariot of the ancient founder of the city. Its pole was lashed to the yoke by means of an intricate knot. According to tradition, this knot was to be untied only by the future conqueror of Asia. Many brave men had tried, and all had failed.

Legend has it that Alexander looked at the knot, drew his sword and sliced through the knot with a single blow. Thus he solved the problem with a single bold stroke. And as was predicated shortly afterwards, under his rule, Asia was united for the first time. He could have acted as others did and failed. But he took a risk and that made all the difference in his entire career.

Alexander actually had two ways to untie the knot. One was do what he did—simply take his sword and cut it. Or he could have used a second method. Had he looked carefully at the knot, he would have noticed that the ends of the rope were secretly twisted round and folded up within it. It would have been easy for Alexander to undo it. All he had to do was pull the pin out of the pole to which the yoke was tied and afterwards draw off the yoke itself from below. But he performed a bold act and that made all the difference.

The moral of this story? Sometimes it’s better not to get too involved in a problem. Stand back and decide on a course of action and take it. Take a risk. Make a bold solution! Stop whining and talking. Simply DO IT!

Oh, how I wish certain government agencies would understand this simple truth.

Secondly, by studying the problem we will find more than one good solution. But if we keep thinking with our heads twisted backward, we can only see where we came from and not the road ahead of us. Hopefully we will turn our heads around soon and see the bright shining road ahead of us. I see it. Don’t you? Here is another story.

Once there was a man who lived by the side of the road. He sold hot dogs. He had no radio. Because he had trouble with his eyes, he never read the newspaper or watched television. But he sold his hot dogs. He put up a sign on the highway, telling how good they were. He stood by the side of the road and cried: “Buy a hot dog, mister.” And the people bought. He increased his meat and bun orders. Soon he built a bigger stand to take care of his trade.

He brought his son home from college to help him. But then something happened. His son said: “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio or reading the newspaper or watching television? Business is terrible and the domestic situation is even worse.”

With that his father thought: “Well, my son has been to college. He listens to the radio, reads the newspapers and watches television, so he ought to know.”

So, the father cut down on his bun order, took down his advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand on the highway to sell hot dogs.

His hot dog sales fell almost overnight.

Does this situation sound familiar in our islands? Do we react in a similar manner when we hear bad news? How about this one?

Once there was a woman who had identical twins about six years old. They were very healthy but with striking different personalities. One boy was very moody and pessimistic in his outlook on everything. Whenever his mother bought him toys, he was afraid that they would break and cut his finger so he didn’t want to play with them. However the brother was always cheerful and optimistic in his outlook on everything. He could find joy in the simplest toy or anything his mother gave him.

The mother was quite concerned about the two boys’ personality differences. So one day she took them to a child psychologist. The psychologist placed each one in a separate room to conduct a little experiment.

After a few minutes, he opened the door of the first boy’s room, which was always pessimistic, and found him sitting crying in the middle of the room surrounded by some of the latest and most exciting toys. In all this potential fun and games, the little boy found no happiness.

Moving to the brother’s room, the doctor found the little boy with a shovel in his hands furiously digging under a heap of horse manure. Turning to the doctor, the little boy squealed: “Under all this manure, there must be a Shetland pony and I’m going to find him.” What’s the moral of this short story? You figure it out.

How about this one for quick thinking? Mr. Smith was brought to Mercy Hospital (a Catholic hospital) and taken quickly in for coronary surgery. The operation went well and, as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a sister of Mercy, who was waiting by his bed.

“Mr. Smith, you’re going to be just fine,” said the nun. “We need to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?”

“No, I’m not,” answered the man hoarsely.

“Then can you pay in cash?” persisted the nun.

“I’m afraid I cannot, sister.”

“Well, do you have any close relatives?”

“Just my sister in New Mexico. But she’s a humble spinster nun.”

“Oh, I must correct you. Nuns are not spinsters. They are married to God.”

“Wonderful,” said Mr. Smith. “In that case, please send the bill to my brother-in-law!”

Life is beautiful despite the economic climate. Have a great day and give everyone a firm handshake and a warm smile today.