When you discover yourself a victim of circumstances beyond your control, a too-common event in these turbulent times, it is tempting to grasp control of something completely unrelated. Some common reactions to the frustrations of extraordinary or even ordinary events may include, but are definitely not limited to:

1. anger

2. more anger

3. tears

4. a combination of anger and tears

5. violence (never a solution-only leads to more problems)

6. blame

7. all of the above

8. none of the above

Just how common is a reaction to frustration that doesn’t involve #1-7 , namely #8? I have no idea, but I suspect it’s worth investigating further. Reaction #8 probably involves a great deal of thought. Thinking usually prevents us from behaving in ways that cause damage to ourselves and those around us (excluding premeditated crime, of course!). Thinking may even allow you to find a solution to a dilemma.

The expression, “two heads are better than one” leads us to believe that thinking in groups and shared discussion may also be beneficial in problem-solving. This process, however promising it sounds, will not work unless there is also listening involved.

The above thinking process, taught to students as “think-pair-share”, if implemented with sound judgement, may even help to avoid human-caused crises resulting in the frustration that is the topic of this post. How effective it would be for natural disasters, I can’t say.