By Sister Michelle, O.C.D
Can solving problems bring happiness? Can it bring joy?
We were young in school when we learned to solve math problems. (Oh, sorry…hope this doesn’t bring up bad memories!) Math is one of the delights of my life. So many things in this world are understandable because of it. It is logical and makes sense.
Following a pattern to make a piece of clothing is mathematical. When we learn a new hymn in choir practice, it sounds a bit “off” if we all give different numerical values to the notes we are singing. Same with cooking—although it does not come naturally to me, I can follow a simple recipe because the mathematical measurements are included…1/2 teaspoon, 3 eggs, 2 ½ cups of milk. (When it directs “season to taste”, I skip that recipe.)
Sewing, singing, cooking—no, I am not calling them “problems” but, in a way, they are skills that I connect with math and, to be successful, require applying solutions. I can hear you say “I love to cook, but I detest math!” Going back to the beginning about happiness and solving problems, would you agree that having a sense of accomplishment and achieving goals can contribute to happiness?
On the road of life when faced with obstacles and difficulties, we often think of them as “problems”. Do we look for another road, make a U-turn, or use our skills to address them to find a solution? That’s when logic happens for me. It is not about being unemotional or disregarding intuition. It can be virtuous.
Underlying all these thoughts is this: what are the skills that I have received or developed that can be helpful to you? And the same about your gifts and talents that can help me? If I can be of service to you by using logic to accomplish a task that makes your life easier or a project simpler, then I have found joy.
Together let us praise God for the gifts He has given to you and to me! If each of us can find opportunities to translate our gifts into reaching out to help others solve their challenges, our life will overflow with joy.
Yes, I would like to learn to “season to taste”. If you have that gift, can you add the spices for me?
