Big picture. Self-help books scream to you about it from the aisles of Barnes and Nobles. Think big picture. Don’t sweat the small sweat. It’s the big stuff that matters. Well, who I am to say they are wrong? Big picture: I’m a suicide survivor who was touched by (two) angels (aka my friends parents) who saved my life. If you were tackled to the floor by someone who loves you, ambulance sirens in the distance, if you blacked in and out of coherent conversation but ended up in a hospital bed surrounded by loved ones before they shipped you off to the psych ward. If any of that happens you know you are dealing with some serious big picture stuff here.
BIg picture stuff is handy for comparing to minor hiccups. Party got canceled, you have a cold, you accidentally ripped a shirt…..also small stuff. Here are some things we can see big picture:
Death or birth
Loss of a relationship (a divorce or friendship breakup)Being fired from a job you really liked
Suffering poverty
A traumatic event like a natural disaster and sexual assault
This big picture stuff will likely change your life. It can make us stronger, braver, more resilient. It can inspire you. You won’t be the same.
In the same way that looking to the big picture can help you conquer the small stuff the small stuff can help you survive the big stuff. I noticed this the most whenever I was in the hospital where it could be hard to find a ray of sunlight. Breakfast trays in particular would excite me. So would visiting hours.
Life can be hard but it can be improved if you learn to carefully balance big picture items with small stuff. Maybe we can do more of that this holiday season.
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