Recurring problems are an inevitable part of the human experience, often emerging just as we believe we have resolved previous difficulties. Drawing on thousands of hours of listening to people’s challenges, author Leslie D. Cannold offers a perspective that shifts the focus from mere elimination of issues to understanding their underlying function. Using the metaphor of planting a fall garden in Santa Barbara, she illustrates how solving one problem—such as keeping ground squirrels away from sunflowers—does not guarantee uninterrupted peace, as new interruptions, like construction workers’ portable toilets, inevitably appear. This narrative serves as a foundation for exploring why certain struggles persist and how individuals can navigate them with greater skill and compassion. [1]
Cannold identifies five key considerations based on her 'Wise Effort' method and principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The first strategy involves introspection: when a problem recurs, individuals are encouraged to spend one minute ranting or expressing frustration, and then immediately ask themselves what value this issue reveals. The core idea is that a problem would not persist if it did not matter to the individual in some deeper way. By identifying the underlying value, the frustration transforms from a simple complaint into a directional guide, offering clarity on what truly deserves attention and care in one’s life. [1]
The second consideration suggests that problems often serve a hidden purpose. Psychological concepts such as strange loops, vicious cycles, negative reinforcement, experiential avoidance, and secondary gain explain why unwanted behaviors persist. Cannold posits that problems stick around because they are solving other problems for us, often by helping us avoid discomfort or meet an underlying need. For example, just as the construction worker’s porta-potty might be associated with repairs being made to a home, a conflict with a spouse might serve a roundabout function, such as avoiding a deeper emotional vulnerability. Recognizing what a struggle is helping to avoid allows individuals to gain freedom and choose alternative responses. [1]
A third point addresses the role of attention. Cannold describes how some individuals function as 'problem search engines,' narrowly focusing on what is wrong while ignoring the broader context. She advocates for flexible perspective-taking and flexible attention, key processes in ACT. By widening the lens of focus—from a single disturbing detail to the whole picture—individuals can shift their perception toward something more balanced or compassionate. This shift in attention can reduce the intensity of the problem by contextualizing it within a larger, more nuanced reality. [1]
The fourth insight highlights the mind’s tendency to create and solve problems. The brain seeks stimulation, control, and activity; in the absence of external problems, it may generate them internally. Cannold asks readers to reframe common frustrations: a delayed flight might offer rare time to do nothing, and an aloof teenager might signal a phase that will eventually pass. This perspective does not deny difficulty but questions whether the mind is labeling a situation as a 'problem' due to an inherent flaw or simply because it is searching for something negative to focus on. Recognizing this pattern can reduce unnecessary suffering attached to manageable circumstances. [1]
Finally, Cannold distinguishes between solvable and unsolvable problems, emphasizing the role of acceptance. Acceptance, central to ACT, does not imply resignation but rather allowing reality to be as it is, which stops the draining of energy spent arguing with facts. It involves making room for the full spectrum of experience—irritation and gratitude, beauty and inconvenience. By accepting what cannot be changed, individuals free up energy for meaningful action and personal growth. Quoting Pema Chödrön, she notes that life is a cycle of things coming together and falling apart. The ultimate task is to become more skillful with problems, viewing them as gateways to personal values rather than obstacles to happiness. [1]
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