Why Not! Seek Alternatives

- by Julie Wininger

One sunny afternoon as I was relaxing in my recliner with a good book, I was startled by a buzzing noise as something whizzed passed me.  A bee had somehow got into my living room!  The bee's desire to get back outside was only eclipsed by my desire to get the insect out of my house.  While we both wanted the same goal, neither of us could achieve our goal.

Seeing the tempting flowers through the large window, the bee slammed its little body against the glass in a valiant attempt to get outside.  I opened the patio door a few feet away and tried to wave the bee outside, yet my fear of getting stung prevented me from ensuring the bee found its freedom and its goal.

Trying harder in this case was not the answer for the bee or for me.  Yes, the poor creature knew where it wanted to go.  And surely it exhibited true determination.  Yet the problem lay in its versatility and adaptability.  Often we have great intentions and even a good plan, yet obstacles in our path stop us.  The trick is not in changing our goal or even giving up, the trick is to look for creative alternatives that will bring our success.

The bee could not imagine alternatives.  And so it was doomed.  Although I hated to do it, for my own safety I had to resort to bug spray. And thus the bee died there on the windowsill so close and yet so far from its goal. 

Are you like the bee?  So bent on your way of accomplishing the goal that you are blind to another option?  Instead of stinging the hand that is trying to guide you to the sweet nectar of success, Why Not be open to alternatives?  Reassess and brainstorm options with a friend.  Is there another way to accomplish your goal?   The sweet smell of success just might take approaching the problem from a different direction.

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