Anticipate the Difficult

 

I enjoy quotes, especially ones that sit in my mind and percolate. This particular quote by the Daoist philosopher Lao Tzu has been giving me lots to think about. What exactly does it mean to anticipate the difficult by managing the easy? Is it important to anticipate the difficult? Is there a benefit from managing the easy? How can I apply this principle to the difficulties in my own life?

It is said that Lao Tzu's journey began as he worked his way towards the western border of China, currently Tibet. He was saddened by what he saw around him: men being diverted away from nature and the goodness it brings. A guard he met on the border asked Lao to write down his teachings as he went. This is when he wrote the famous Tao Te Ching, a 5,000-character account of his thoughts and philosophical ideas.

I'd like to comment on the background information. I appreciate the fact that as Lao was traveling through nature, he wrote his words. Nature is the place where I find many answers to questions in my own life. There is an energy in nature that I don't find indoors, and when I'm in nature it fills my soul and my mind. This is one of the reasons I walk every day, it helps me start the day in the right frame of mind.

Our world isn't so different from Lao Tzu's when it comes to 'men being diverted away from nature and the goodness it brings.' When money, fame, and the gathering of possessions is what society is teaching brings happiness that is where the efforts of men are focused. The hustle and bustle of life often leaves little time to enjoy nature. It saddens me that this has been the case for many years.

Nature is making a comeback. Research is being published now that shows the benefits of spending time in nature.

According to healthline.com's article titled 8 Health Benefits of Getting Back to Nature and Spending Time Outside there are quite a few benefits from spending time in nature including:

1. Better breathing

2. Improved sleep

3. Reduced depression symptoms

4. More motivation to exercise

5. Mental restoration

6. Boosted immune function

7. Protection from short-sightedness

8. Improved emotional well-being

It's nice to see that the goodness that nature brings is being talked about and encouraged. Spending time in nature is good medicine. It's a step towards better health.

Now back to the quote. Our nature-loving ancient Chinese philosopher left amazing words of wisdom from his journeys in nature. Many of his observations and insights are as applicable to us today as they were for his time. I've come to understand that the words 'Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy' are particularly pertinent to my own life.

Blogger Thomas J. Lee stated: "If you think about it the most daunting challenges in life are merely a series of easier tasks you already find simple and straightforward...Once we begin to see the large and complex as just a myriad of the small and simple, we can make real progress. We can anticipate meeting the difficult by preparing to manage it as a lot of easy things."

I think we often get overwhelmed by the problems we face because we focus on the enormity of the problems instead of breaking them down into smaller tasks that we can accomplish. Focusing on the smaller parts of a problem makes it feel more manageable. Many of us are goal oriented and need the progress of smaller tasks to keep us from giving up on the bigger challenge. Also, focusing on smaller tasks often leads to fewer bigger tasks in the future.

Look at it this way. The best way to stop weeds from taking over your garden is to take care of them before they grow or become prolific. It's easier to prepare the soil or pull the weeds while they are young then it is to wait for the weeds to grow and become more difficult to remove. Which would you rather tackle, a garden overgrown with weeds or a garden that has been weeded daily to prevent their growth? I can anticipate the difficult (overgrown weeds in the garden) by managing the easy (pulling the smaller weeds daily to prevent growth.)

As always, I searched the scriptures for spiritual insight into this train of thought. I came across a translation of Proverbs 4:12 that I really liked: "As you go, step by step I will open up the way before you." (Literal Translation) Step by step. God expects us to go about our lives step by step. Each step leading us closer to Him. The gospel is taught line upon line, precept upon precept, because that is the best way for us to succeed in our spiritual journey. It is also the best way for us to prepare for the challenges in our lives, one step at a time, one small task at a time, and He will open the way before us. We can anticipate the difficult (challenges in life) by managing the easy (living the gospel step by step and applying it to our daily lives). Life is better, not easier, with God in it, but having a deity on your side definitely is a bonus when it comes to facing challenges.

I tip my hat to Lao; in seven words he gave us a way to face our difficulties and also to prevent further difficulties. He gives us the wisdom of 'conquer the easier tasks to prevent the creation of more difficult tasks'.  It's a simple process that works in every aspect of our lives: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. You know it's a good process when God is on board with it. 

I'll be looking for ways to integrate this way of thinking into my daily life. Dissecting the challenges before me into smaller, easier parts that I can manage. Seeking ways to lessen the more difficult challenges and alleviating the stress that comes with them. Step by step, while God opens the way before me.