Sometimes we get so focused on our small tasks that we miss the forest for the trees, so the saying goes. In these scenarios, we can easily lose sight of the why behind our actions. Therefore, it can be helpful to step out of our immediate circumstances and get an idea of the bigger picture.
A Transcendent There
A Transcendent There is an overarching vision for your life. It is a goal you will never be able to achieve; a compass that guides you in the right direction. Here are some examples of what a Transcendent There might sound like:
To live joyfully free
Know God, know others, and know myself
To be a space-maker
Love others and celebrate the good in the world
These statements can be pursued in every sphere of life at any age. They do not rely on achievement or competition. They are a state of being that allows us to direct our actions towards other concrete goals, which are all aimed in accordance with this vision.
A Guiding Compass
Your Transcendent there serves as a guiding compass that helps you make concrete goals in other areas of your life. For example, the Transcendent There of loving others and celebrating the good in the world might lead you to make the goals of having new people over for dinner, collating positive news stories and sending them to friends, or working for a company that helps people in need or funds innovative research.
While in the course of pursuing this vision, you might lose sight of what it’s all for. When work turns into the mundane and tedious and having friends over to your home feels like more drudgery than joy, you can remember why you decided to do these things in the first place, and keep your eye on the bigger picture.
When you keep the bigger picture in the back of your mind, you can adjust more quickly to ensure you’re on the right path headed towards your goals. Don’t get stuck in the trees, take a step back and appreciate the forest all around you.
