Problems

Robert Fulghum tells of his experience as the desk clerk in a resort motel. After a week of frustration, Fulghum has it out with the manager. Twenty minutes into this tirade, Sigmund Wooman interrupts him: ''Listen, Fulghum....You think you know everything. But you don't know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you've got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Learn to separate inconveniences from problems. You will live longer."

This brief story helps to bring me back to reality. On a few occasions, I've had what could really be described as a problem. Most of the time, I've faced inconveniences.

It's easy to turn inconveniences into problems. We rant and rave and worry about the outcome of things we may not be able to control. Here's where Fulghum and his mentor are right. If we can learn to accept that life is inconvenient, we will live longer.