Put On Your Belt

Yesterday, I was getting dressed for the Easter service at Redeemer.

I was putting on my favorite khaki pants and the old braided reversible belt that I’ve had since I was in 8^th grade, probably, and that I absolutely love.

That pair of pants has more belt loops than other pants that I’ve owned, which I like, but in the process of putting on my belt, I unknowingly missed a loop – the second one from the start.

I didn’t notice until I started tightening the belt around my waist.

I thought, Crap.  That’s annoying.

And then I thought, Wait, I think I can just thread the belt buckle back through those two loops, and then bring it back to the center.  I think it’ll slide through those loops easily.

I was right.  Problem solved, in a matter of seconds.

Not that it would’ve taken me an hour to do it the other way, but I think there’s an important principle to that story.

I could’ve sighed deeply, ripped my belt off, and angrily fixed the problem.

I didn’t do that.  I was calm, I considered the problem, and I came up with the easiest, most efficient solution possible.

Now, obviously putting on a belt isn’t that big of a deal.  It was probably the difference between 10 seconds and 30 seconds.  But still.

The principle remains.  When you come across a problem in your life, STOP, breathe deeply, consider the issue, and then calmly pursue the most intelligent solution possible.

And all of that from putting on a belt.  Now you know a little bit more of how this crazy mind of mine works.  :)