Everyone loves a pickle until you are in one.
A teacher said that this morning, and it prompted me to agree. Pickles as a food choice seem to have exploded recently: pickle chips, pickle burgers, pickle drinks, fried pickles. And yes, I love fried pickles dipped in ranch. But being in a pickle? Not so much.
I have come across writings that suggest problems are an opportunity for leaders to thrive, or that solving other people’s problems is a way to serve. I used to nod my head at these types of statements, pump my fists, get excited, and then wish and hope for problems to solve, and the ability to thrive.
The reality, at least for me, is that problem solving, yes, is an act of service. And if working with problems leads to thriving, then others are going to need to validate that statement. I am delivered many problems on any given day, and the strength needed to reframe them into an opportunity depletes me of the strength needed to work the problem.
So that leads us to the pickle of being in a pickle. Tasty, but not always fun.
What pickle are you in right now?
Here, I made this. My gift to you, for taking the time to read.
Images are from my imagination, generated by AI. Writing is all me.