We’ve heard that phrase, “you can’t see the forest for the trees”, and if truth be told, we do not fully understand it’s meaning, but we use it anyway.
I was thinking this morning about a notation I made from some book I was reading some months back. I don’t remember which book, and it’s probably not germane to my thought, but the author penned these words.
“We rarely see what we prefer to overlook.”
This made me think of the “forest and trees” quote. When you are focused on the nuts and bolts, the nitpicking details, the struggle of the individual, then you miss the bigger picture. You must learn to zoom out, and see what’s happening all around you, and with the thousand-yard view, you can see the entire forest.
On the flip side, when you only see the entire forest and cannot zero in on the unique needs of the single tree, then you miss the struggles of the individual. You fail to see the details. Is there a fractured tree, a stressed animal, or even a sinkhole? Has someone set a trap? Is a danger encroaching on the boundaries? Is someone wandering lost in the middle of the night?
Can you catch the vision? You cannot be the long-range viewer, or always stuck in the weeds at the same time!
You must find the Balance between the Extremes!
Think about binoculars, they have the ability to focus from the close to the distant. If you need to see closer, then you need a microscope. If you want to see farther, then you need a telescope.
Think about your automobile, it doesn’t just go fast! It also goes slow…sometimes the extremes are unsafe, but the ability to move between the edges of ability is necessary for success!
Think about a camera, especially a good one, you get to choose all the settings to produce a perfect version of what you want to capture. You may even add the closeup lens or the $10,000 telescope lens that you see at sporting events. With all the options available, you can move between the extremes to get the particular image you need for good decisions!
Think about your day.
How do you balance yourself so that you can see the forest,
and then look deeply to the individual tree?
I’m looking for these answers right now. Do you have any suggestions? Things are happening in my life and others close to me that requires excellent close-up views of current life, and a long-range view of where things are going!
Think about it. I am! Career choices, family needs, financial focuses, relationships, purchases, relocation, trips, helping others, spiritual needs… The list is endless! You need to see the weeds, the trees, and the forest – all within simply minutes of each other! And, for the whole host of items I’ve just listed.
What tools do I have? What’s my focus? Why am I doing what I’m doing? What should I consider doing next? Where’s my past, and how does it lead to my future.
So. Can you give me some insight? I have a plan on using this for some really focused writing.
H-E-L-P!
Can you grasp this? You cannot be the long-range viewer, or always stuck in the weeds at the same time! You must learn to find the balance and move between the extremes, and understand how to make better decisions! Share on X