An Artistic Solution

David Fitzgerald, a long time reader and occasional commenter of this blog, sent me a story.

He was sitting in Tampa Airport waiting to board his flight. He observed a fellow traveler, a 2-3-year-old girl, playing nearby in the way restless children tend to play: energetically, loudly, and oblivious to her impact on others.

The grandmother who was minding her was not so sanguine about her granddaughter’s behavior. It led her to continuously admonish, “Don’t do that.” To no avail.

The happy toddler kept up her wild play.

Mom returned and the volume and number of orders to the child to not do what she was doing increased. To no avail.

David got tired of watching this multi-generational drama play out so he decided to use his secret weapon to make everyone happy. He reached into his bag and pulled out a box of crayons and a pad of paper.

Problem solved. The child eagerly channeled her enthusiasm into coloring. Mother and grandmother and surrounding passengers relaxed and smiled.

David, a neurologist, always carries crayons. In addition to calming young travelers they are the perfect tool for distracting children while he consults with their parents.

It’s a nice story about a simple but creative solution to a situation all frequent flyers, and many other people, regularly face: a rambunctious child. Be irritated, roll your eyes, complain, admonish…or find a creative solution that leaves everyone happy.

Think about problems you face on a regular basis. How often do you react to them by complaining, feeling sorry for yourself, even telling yourself and others “don’t do that”? You waste your breath and don’t resolve anything. The problem remains.

The next time an irritating situation arises, before opening your mouth, think about how to reframe the issue in a way that leads you to a positive solution, one that leaves everyone better off. Become part of the solution rather than someone who enlarges the problem.

Bring out the crayons.

Create an artist.