The Big Picture

I've always been so much more interested in the big picture than in details. Always preferred context before content even when the latter was said to be king. But I've also learned that the devil is in the details.

I think the big picture is what is keeping you out of trouble. Just look at Martha Stewart, Bernie Ebbers and the alike. If they wouldn't have been so greedy they wouldn't have become fellons.

In Martha's case she risked everything for $40 grand. The media is convinced that she is a great comeback story cause people love comeback stories (which will enable more advertizing). That's the 10-minute, 1 feet over the ground perspective.

But try to take a huge step back to, try the 180 degree view and things come into perspective. Ask yourself: What is really important in life? In that context a lot of the daily noise becomes irrelevant. The details without the big picture are just worthless junk. Why do x, y and z if they don't amount to anything grand.

But the big picture doesn't need to impact millions to be grand. It's enough that it impacts you and your life. I'd say that nothing is more grand than when you are 80 years old and can look back at your life with a chuckle, a sense of pride and a strong sense of personal accomplishment.