SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
By Chidimma Placid Nwaka
WHAT IS THIS BIGGER PICTURE?
Many people define the “Bigger Picture” as seeing positive possibilities for oneself, giving the mind peace and surrounding it with uplifting thoughts. However, many people have tried in various ways to achieve this, only to face frustrations that sometimes become worse than the initial challenge.
It is unfortunate that some people give up so easily, letting procrastination convince them that they are incapable of achieving their dreams. Some begin to feel less of themselves, allowing negative thoughts to take over. Seeing others succeed can even make them feel worse. Thoughts like “It could have been me if my parents were white,” “It could have been me if my parents were rich and influential,” or “There is no hope for me because of the country’s economy” begin to dominate the mind.
These thoughts do nothing but trap us in fear — fear of losing someone, fear of failure, fear of losing our finances, and other fears that creep in to destroy dreams.
BEN CARSON’S THOUGHT ON SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
As mentioned in my earlier writings, the mind is the resting place of our thoughts; the engine that powers the heart and influences our daily outcomes.
Dr. Ben Carson, a renowned medical doctor known for being the first surgeon to successfully separate Siamese twins in the United States, wrote an inspiring book titled Think Big. Over the years, it has helped many young readers understand their potential and purpose in life.
In his book Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence, Dr. Carson shares a powerful philosophy that shaped his life and success. THINK BIG is not just a motivational phrase; it is an acronym that carries a message of growth, faith, and discipline. Each letter represents a value essential for achieving personal excellence.
WHAT THE ACRONYM “THINK BIG” STANDS FOR ACCORDING TO BEN CARSON
T – TALENT / TIME:
Recognize your God-given talents and invest your time in developing them through learning and growth.
Time waits for no one. It never repeats itself, and lost opportunities are rarely recovered. When a talent is discovered, it must be nurtured. Heroes and great men are made through their courage to face challenges and overcome them. A talent that is unused eventually dies, which is why it is often said that cemeteries hold some of the world’s greatest talents.
H – HOPE:
Hope keeps us moving forward. It keeps dreams alive even in difficult times. Never give up. Stay honest with yourself and others, for integrity builds trust and strength of character.
I – INSIGHT:
Gain understanding through reading, reflection, and learning from others. Insight helps you make wise choices and notice opportunities others overlook.
N – NICENESS:
Treat people with kindness and respect. Being nice is not a sign of weakness, it earns lasting relationships and mutual respect. However, do not try to please everyone. Set healthy boundaries while remaining kind and compassionate.
K – KNOWLEDGE:
Never stop learning. Education is a lifelong process, and the more knowledge you gain, the better equipped you are to solve life’s challenges.
B – BOOKS:
Read constantly. Books open the mind to wisdom, imagination, and experience. They take you to places you have never been and teach lessons that life alone may not. Through good books, the mind grows, vocabulary expands, and wisdom increases.
I – IN-DEPTH LEARNING:
Do not settle for shallow understanding. Dig deeper into ideas, reflect on conversations, and explore hidden meanings. True mastery comes from curiosity and commitment.
G – GOD:
Above all, put God first. Dr. Carson emphasizes that faith provides direction, strength, and purpose in everything we do. God listens to our deepest thoughts and fulfills them when they are sincere and selfless.
In summary, Dr. Ben Carson believes that success is not defined by where you start but by how you think and what you believe about yourself. His journey from a poor child in Detroit to a world-renowned neurosurgeon proves that greatness begins in the mind. Setting your mind on the bright side brings you closer to your dreams.
SUMMARY: HOW TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE
The bigger picture is the vision you hold of your future. Sometimes, even those closest to you may not believe in your dreams, just as Joseph’s brothers doubted him when he dreamed of becoming a ruler.
Keep your dreams alive within you. Let your heart be the safe vault that guards your ambitions. Procrastination, the enemy of progress, will always whisper excuses. It says “not today,” and before you know it, months pass by with nothing achieved.
Do not compete with others. Build your own path, no matter how long it takes, because greatness knows no age or timing. Stay faithful in your service to God and believe that He can bless the work of your hands, just as He promised in the book of Isaiah.
Avoid shortcuts. They may seem easy, but they often lead to regret, failure, or even destruction. Discipline yourself. Do not let anger, laziness, or anxiety control you. Choose to serve values like consistency, love, kindness, and integrity; qualities that yield positive rewards.
Do not let pleasure distract you from purpose. Every day counts; use it wisely. Seeing the bigger picture requires patience, contentment in the face of challenges, gratitude instead of complaints, and faith that the future will heal the pains of the past.
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