Unsolved problems

At times, the thing to do is to sit quietly. Not to wrestle with the questions, but to patiently allow the answers to emerge.

But other times, the silence is a dead end. Our minds find a circular track where the wheels are unable to break free from their well-worn grooves.

In those moments, it’s wise to seek counsel.

Trusted advisors and friends are not burdened in the same way we are. They’re not anchored to the thought patterns that have kept us from moving forward. They can often think more nimbly because for them, the questions are new. Even without offering solutions, they can ask clarifying questions that unlock new ways of looking problems.

It’s simple, but some answers are found by asking.