Was the Ticket Good or Bad?

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

                                                                                   - Hamlet

It is easy for all of us to label experiences in our lives as "good" or "bad" based on how they compare to our expectations.  It can be easy to reflect on our experiences as “bad” when things don’t go the way we planned. 

However, if the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we need to be flexible in how we view situations and nimble in our approach to dealing with challenges that arrive us safely and triumphantly on the other side

It is often not until much time has passed that the situations we have judged as the most negative can be seen as actually being blessings, as illustrated in the story below.

 An attorney in Southern California was leaving an appointment in Orange County and making his way up the 405 Freeway to his next appointment near LAX Airport.

Already leaving late from his previous appointment, the attorney felt a slight knot in his stomach as he got onto the highway and said a small prayer that traffic would cooperate, and he would arrive at his next appointment on time.

He breathed a sigh of relief as traffic opened up on the six northbound lanes.  He relaxed into his seat, cranked Hootie and the Blowfish on his car stereo and accelerated his Audi A5 Coupe to match the traffic's common speed of 75 miles per hour and clicked on the cruise control.

His blissful state was soon interrupted, however, as he looked into his rearview mirror to see the red lights of the California Highway Patrol flashing above the squad car directly behind him.  

After pulling over to the side of the road, the attorney sat nervously as the CHiP officer approached the car, asked for his information and then walked slowly back to the car.  Several minutes passed and then the officer returned with a $250 speeding ticket and said, "Drive safely and have a great day, sir."

Clearly agitated and now very fearful he would be late for his next appointment, the attorney pulled back onto the highway, and set his cruise control to 55 to resume his journey.  After driving just a few minutes on the road, all six lanes of traffic came to a complete stop.

Frustrated now beyond belief, the attorney slammed his fists onto the steering wheel and let out an anguished yell.  After composing himself, he turned on the car radio to get a traffic report only to learn that a 50-car pile-up laid 10 miles ahead.  His anger and frustration was now coming to a boiling point. 

However, in an instant a realization came to him.  Had he not been pulled over by the CHiP officer, we would have been right in the middle of the terrible car crash.  

So, was the ticket good or bad?

Today, I encourage you to think about an event in your life that you have up until now labeled as "negative". 

Then look at it objectively and notice the blessings that may have come as a result (e.g., getting fired from a job led to opening up your own successful business; a relationship ending led to a period of great personal reflection and growth; an illness inspired you to make significant changes in your lifestyle that led to greater health and wellness).

In other words, was the "ticket" you received from life good or bad?

Chris Natzke                                                                                                        

Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching  

PS:  If you don’t know where to start in taking that first step to breakthrough, check out my Breaking Through Online Course.