Creating Good Problems

“Father?” Diego asked, “There’s a fellow I’m helping out, but he says he has no problems in life!”

“That’s coool! I wish I also had none,” I jokingly replied.

“But what advice can I give him?” Diego was very concerned.

* * * * * *

Diego is one of the youth staffers of a camp called FORGE. Boys from Grades 6 to 9 take part in a week-long character building activity. They go through hobby classes like carpentry, kite-making, painting and more. Daily they have morning treks, afternoon sports and obstacle-course runs.

They also receive some talks about human virtues, family life, work and friendship. These formational components are given by older students. Most of them are graduating from high school and others are in college. It is very inspiring to see how these so-called counsellors of the camp are the ones who truly benefit from the activity as they strive to be examples to their peers and the boys they take care of.

Some of these counsellors would often approach me, like Diego, to sort out some of the more challenging ‘cases’ they would encounter. At the end of the day, I realized that I’m actually the one who learns more from all their queries and concerns, because they shed light on how today’s young generation think and act. This information, precisely, becomes helpful in dealing and guiding them.

* * * * * *

“Actually, the fellow who claims he has no problem may be actually right!”

“Is that even possible, Father?” Diego said.

“No, I mean that he was never given a real problem in life.”

“You mean he was spoiled by his parents?” He quickly concluded.

“Perhaps, in some cases yes, but in some, no. Parents who are over-protective may give their children this impression. But society likewise makes many things easily attainable for them,” I added.

“That’s right! I remember that in our sports competition last year, everyone got an award even just for participation,” Diego laughed.

“The intention of making people feel good by giving everyone an award may seem fair treatment. But in the end, children no longer are forged to become strong, persevering and humble when facing the many possible odds may present.”

“So, how am I supposed to help this one, Father?”

“I guess help him to creatively come up with positive problems.”

“Positive problems!!!?”

“Yes. It means giving them something positive to aspire for so they will personally invest time and sacrifice to achieve them.”

“Oh, like an ideal?”

“Yup! And it may help to tell them, that without such positive problems, they will become sad.”

“How is that, Father?”

“Because sad stands for: Satisfied, Anonymous and Discouraged. Anyone who is content will not move forward and will eventually stagnate. He also remains a ‘no one’ since without a positive problem, he will never have an identity for himself or for others. And because of the first two, he will end up discouraged.”

“I never saw it that way, Father. Thanks a heap! I will help him to come up with a positive problem and avoid his being SAD in the future!”