You Can Never See the Whole Picture

Years ago while working for a prior organization, I had a boss that was not treating me well. After a period of time, it became clear that we were going to have difficulty co-existing. I remember being very distraught. I didn’t want to leave. I really liked the firm and my co-workers. I even believed that my success was due this organization. After leaving and joining a smaller, less prestigious firm (for considerably more money), I realized that my success had nothing to do with my prior firm. In fact, I was much happier, and was treated better than I ever had been at the prior firm. Within four months of the new job, my prior firm fell on hard times. Their difficulties lasted for years. I am so thankful that I made that move. It made me realize that you can never see the whole picture.

A series of events had taken place that lead to me leave. That action allowed me to avoid what would have been a very difficult situation. There is no way I could have predicted what happened. A few years later, that small, little-known firm that I had moved to, merged with a larger, more prestigious firm. In the end it turned into an amazing opportunity.

Think about a time in your own life when you were completely caught up in the stress and uncertainty of the effects of an event. It could be a relationship break-up, a new boss that wants you out, or even a transfer to another position in another state. It is only after some time has past, be it months or years, when we look back and are ultimately grateful for that original “stressful” event that forced a change. The reality is that sometimes a situation has to become so painful, so stressful, and to a breaking point, that it forces the change. We lack the ability to see the whole picture. It is as if we are two-dimensional beings living in a three-dimensional world. You can’t see up from a two dimensional perspective, nor can you ever see the full picture from our limited, immediate perspective. Time is that other dimension. We must often wait for it to pass before we can clearly see the full picture. That final picture is often one that is better than you could have ever imagined.

The longer I live, the more convinced I become that things happen for a reason. Just remember that you can never see the whole picture.

If you have experienced situations in your life that initially caused stress but ultimately became great opportunities, please respond and share your story.