The Grand Master gathered together all the disciples in order to decide who would have the honour of working at his side.<>
‘I am going to set you a problem,’ said the Grand Master. ‘And the first one to solve that problem will be the new Guardian of the temple.’<>
Once this briefest of speeches was over, he placed a small stool in the middle of the room. On it stood a priceless porcelain vase containing a red rose.<>
‘There is the problem,’ said the Grand Master.<>
After a few moments, one of the disciples got to his feet and looked at the master and at his fellow students..<>
Then he walked over to the vase and threw it to the ground, shattering it.<>
‘You are the new Guardian,’ the Grand Master said to the student.<>
‘I made myself perfectly clear. I said that there was a problem to be solved. <>
Now it does not matter how beautiful or fascinating a problem might be, it has to be eliminated.<>
A problem is a problem. It could be a very rare porcelain vase, a delightful love affair that no longer makes any sense, or a course of action that we should abandon, but which we insist on continuing because it brings us comfort.<>
There is only one way to deal with a problem: attack it head on. <>
At such moments, one cannot feel pity, nor be diverted by the fascination inherent in any conflict.’<>
Paulo Coelho<>
