Life is full of problems, but how we approach those problems often determines whether we’re happy or miserable. Bob Maynard says, “Problems are opportunities in disguise.” If we approach problems with Maynard’s attitude, we see that problems are really opportunities to learn about others and ourselves. They enable us to live happier and more fulfilling lives.Maynard’s quote applies to all kinds of problems. I faced a problem just last week when our family’s kitchen sink developed a serious leak. There was water all over our kitchen floor and piles of dishes to be washed. But our landlord was out of town for the week. I come from a big family-I have six brothers and sisters-so we couldn’t afford to wait until he got back, and my mom couldn’t afford a couple hundred dollars to pay for a plumber on her own. So I took the opportunity to learn how to fix it myself. I went to the library and found a great fix-it-yourself book. In just a few hours, I figured out what was causing the leak and how to stop it. If it weren’t for that problem, I probably would have relied on plumbers and landlords all my life. Now I know I can handle leaky pipes by myself.I think it’s important to remember that no matter how big a problem is; it’s still an opportunity. Whatever kind of situation we face, problems give us the chance to learn and grow, both physically and mentally. For example, when I had a problem with my car and couldn’t the repairs right away, my problem become an opportunity to get some exercise-something I’d been waiting to do anyway. I had to walk a mile each day to get to the bus stop and back. But in the meantime, I got the chance to start getting back in shape, and I saved a lot on gas.I’ve come to realize that problems are really part of what makes life worth living. Problems challenge us and give us the opportunity to do things we’v...
