When we are standing in the middle of a difficult moment, it can be hard to see anything beyond what is directly in front of us. A mistake feels bigger. A disappointment feels heavier. A bad day feels like it will last forever.
But perspective has a funny way of changing things.
The same situation can look completely different when we give ourselves the chance to zoom out. What felt like a failure might actually be a lesson. What felt like the end of an opportunity might open the door to something we never expected. And what feels ordinary today might be something we look back on years from now and wish we could experience one more time.
I think sometimes we get so caught up in where we are going that we forget to appreciate where we are.
Recently, I have been reminded of that more than ever. This year comes with lots of excitement, new experiences, and opportunities, but it also comes with long days, unfamiliar situations, and moments where things don’t go exactly how we pictured them. It would be easy to focus on the things that didn’t go perfectly.
But when I take a step back, I see something different.
I see the people I have met. I see the conversations that have stuck with me. I see the moments between the big ones; the laughs on car rides, the late-night conversations, and the memories that weren’t part of the schedule at all.
Those are moments that change my perspective.
So, if you’re in a season that feels difficult, take a step back. Zoom out. Look at the whole picture instead of one small part of it.
You might still be disappointed. You might have things you wish were different. But maybe you’ll also see how far you’ve come, how many people are walking beside you, and how much there is to be grateful for.
Sometimes, the best view is when we simply decide to change where we’re standing.
~ Callie Kostman
State Sentinel