Sometimes I find myself consumed by the details of life, the day-to-day operations, the task in front of me.
I take things as they come and everything is relative the world that I am personally living in. The highest priority task or the most pressing concern is in the context of my life. It all relates to me.
But these are the smaller stories.
Once in a while I like to let my mind drift to thinking about the big picture; the trends that have nothing to do with me. The big issues and high priority items affect millions of people, if not more.
- What will the study of genetics mean for the future of our species?
- How can wearable technology alter human relationships, both positively and negatively?
- Will the income disparity in this country come to a head, or will it continue along this path until there are only two classes of people with little chance of changing course?
- How is our country going to deal with the overcrowding of our prison system?
- Will we find a way to slow or reverse the effects of climate change, or will we accept it and, at some point, start selling beach-front property in Kansas?
When I think big picture, I try to think about the stressors in my life, and how those factors stack up. Usually that puts things back in perspective.