What Do You See?
Big Picture, Emotional Healing, Pain processing, cognitive behavioral therapy, inner peace, opportunities, positive attitude, positive thinking, wisdom September 4th, 2009
photo by:
A penny will hide the biggest star in the universe if you hold it close enough to your eye. ~Samuel Grafton
We have all seen them - at least if we’ve been on the road at all. They’re big. Sometimes they whiz by very fast and sometimes they cruise at a slower speed. Sometimes maybe we even get annoyed by them, but it seems we can’t live in the world we do without their function. They serve a purpose.
Eighteen wheelers, transfer trucks, big rigs, trucks. Are there any lessons that we can learn from them - or better yet are there lessons we can learn from the drivers in charge of their reigns?
When I was a small child I told my mom I wanted to be a truck driver when I grew up. I have no idea why. She worried herself silly about it. I guess she thought that was a dangerous occupation for a woman. Well, I grew up, and no I didn’t become a truck driver or even go to truck driver trainer school, but I was privileged to ride in a big rig in my earlier days. My uncle was a truck driver and he took us kids for a ride one day. That was fun. I certainly got a different perspective than I had gotten from riding in a car. Well, let’s talk about that….
I’ve been told that in truck driver training school that one of the things they teach a student 
is to not just look at or stay focused on the car right in front of them. Instead they are taught to look beyond - to look ahead several cars in front of them. Truck drivers must be aware of things around them. In a way truck drivers have a very distinct advantage because they are so big and do sit up so high. It’s easier to see out. The car in front of them becomes just one small car that fits into the picture - just one piece of the puzzle. If the driver is solely focused on the car in front of them then they might not see the accident that is several cars ahead. They might miss the opportunity to change lanes before something catastrophic happens.
photo by: Rennett Stowe
Truck drivers can learn from the car in front of them without staying focused on it. Maybe the car in front of them puts on their breaks or swerves. He could start yelling at the driver in front of him and become really angry, or he could learn from this car to see what else is happening and/or what actions to take.
You see, in life it’s easy to just see that car - the obstacle right in front of us. It’s easy to focus on the problem and stay so focused on it that it bogs us down, that it keeps us from stepping back and seeing how it plays into the whole picture. Obviously we need to give the car some credence, but if it’s all we see then it’s likely we’re going to miss some opportunities or benefits that we would otherwise see.
Your turn:
Are you focused on the car right in front of you? Are you so focused on a problem or something that you do not like that you can’t see past it? Is it possible that you could be missing some opportunities ahead or benefits that you might otherwise see if you took a step back or sat in the driver seat of a truck? What can you learn from this car? How does it fit into the bigger picture?
Tip: Next time you are focused on the car in front of you, pause, take a breath and pretend you are a truck driver.
Good analogy. It took some life experience for me to be able to take the longer view both with driving and other matters.
An interesting perspective on keeping the big picture in mind.
I was just taking the time myself to look into how I’m integrating GTD and my longer term goals.
My husband lost his job 5 months ago and we made a concious decision to focus on the solution and not the problem. He’s in the process of purchasing a new business.
The bigger the issue the easier it is to focus on the wrong thing. We used prayer, meditation, exercise, and affirmation cards plus tons of work to come to this solution. Great post.
Hi Jennifer,
The big picture…something I like to spend time thinking about. What’s out beyond. And yet, as much as I do this, I also get pulled in too often to short term thinking. Or just focusing on “that car” right in front of me. I find it’s easier for me to think long term when everything is good and right. As soon as something goes wrong, that’s when I become too focused on the now. And while that should happen, I think there is a mix of balancing immediate (the car in front) with long-term (what’s up ahead…even what we can’t see).
Jennifer, I’m really thinking about this today, especially along the lines of what do I do when I’m faced with the car in my life that swerves - what does that mean for me? This is so good to think about…
Hi Paul. Welcome. I think it takes us all a while. I know that for me the longer I live the more I am able to see the big picture. Still though, when something big comes along, it can be easy for me to loose that without stopping to remind myself. Thank you for your comment.
Hi Jarrod. I think it’s always good to stop and evaluate GTD vs. long term. It’s easy to get lost in or addicted to the hustle bustle without really going anywhere. Stephen Covey says that we are addicted to GTD. It can be very detrimental if not focused in the right direction. I think GTD can be that car we’re focused on. You are very wise to stop and evaluate.
Hi Tess. What a great example you gave and how you and your husband handled it with the big picture in mind focusing on opportunities and benefits that this job loss provided. It certainly would have been easy to get bummed out and stay there. Good for you guys for implementing all the things you needed to in order to move forward with clarity. (I would expect nothing less from you! I know you possess a lot of wisdom.) Congratulations to you for the new things ahead in your life!
I agree so much that the bigger the issue the easier it is to focus on the wrong thing. It takes a lot of courage to focus on the right things. But it’s always worth it. All the best to you and your husband!
Hi Lance. I too can find myself looking intently at “that car” if I don’t stop myself. I can definitely identify with you in that it’s easier to stay focused on the big picture when things are going good. When they are not it’s way to easy to keep our eyes on “that car” and think about all the things wrong with it. You are so right about the balance. We obviously have to take note of the car, but take note of it in relation to how it fits into the big picture.
Good luck Lance thinking about what to do when the car swerves and what that means for you. Whatever that means for you I know that you will always make wise choices. Enjoy the truck ride on your journey.
Hello Jennifer!
Great analogy Jennifer. I like how you talk about not getting caught up in what’s right in front of you. Those things taught in truck driving school are similar skills you need when motorcycling. You have to be aware of what is around you at all times, definitely see beyond the car right in front of you! Life is like this isn’t it? You cant get tunnel vision and focus just on what’s “in front of you”, if you do then life and opportunities pass you by and you never even notice!
I’ve always thought these ideas would make a great article and I was right, and you have written it! Great job!
Hi Keith. I can see how one would need similar vision with a motorcycle. I would say that a truck driver has the advantage because he sits up so high and can see out more, but nonetheless it’s extremely important with driving both vehicles. That tunnel vision can’t be so detrimental for sure. It can certainly make us wreck and miss out on seeing and taking advantage of all the opportunities in which we could have avoided the wreck. Thank you Keith for your kind words! May you have a great day seeing the big picture!
What an interesting post! A new friend of mine drove trucks for years and years, and now teaches it to high school kids. It takes patience, perseverance, and skills. People don’t give truck drivers enough credit.
That being said, I do believe I fall victim to focusing on what’s right in front of me and not always seeing the bigger picture. As a matter of fact, I have an enlarged blind spot in my right eye that began eight years ago, is (by western medicinal standards) incurable, and developed around the same time a latent psychic gift awoke in me (probably two years after the fact). The right side of our body is linked to logic, male energy/father issues, “doing” and giving out. I was thinking today, before I read this post, that it’s no surprise it’s in my right eye. Most of my ailments fall on my right side. I’m trying to figure out what I’m blocking or afraid to see — maybe something about not seeing the whole picture when it comes to male energy, “doing” or … (sigh) I’ll figure it out, and appreciate the nudge your post has given me!
Followed you here from Lance’s website and Megan’s blog post.
What a great analogy. We all need to learn from each others mistakes.
Glad to find you, I’ll for certain return.
Hi Megan. Welcome! I would say that truck drivers are NOT given enough credit. I certainly appreciate what they do and products they deliver for us. Whatever it is you are blocking out I hope you discover what it is and find much relief from it. Maybe this post will help you figure it out either consciously or subconsciously.
Hi Jillian. I’m so glad you found your way here. Welcome! That’s a good point about how we need to learn from others’ mistakes. It can sure save us a lot of pain. Enjoy looking around and I’ll look forward to having you back around.
Very good article.
Thanks Gary. I learned it from a great teacher.