Navigating Life’s Challenges and Near Misses
We all face the consequences of our past decisions and actions. While it’s impossible to change what has already happened, we can choose how we respond to both our present circumstances and the outcomes of our past choices.
Life is full of near misses. Consider the times you’ve driven a vehicle and thought, “That was close!” Perhaps a car travelling in the opposite direction came dangerously close to causing a collision, or you narrowly avoided an accident by reacting just in time.
Life, in many ways, mirrors these near misses. In various aspects of our lives, we encounter situations that could have turned much worse but didn’t. It’s as though some unseen force is protecting and guiding us, keeping us safe from the unimaginable.
This has been my personal experience. Whenever life has felt overwhelmingly difficult—when worry and frustration consumed me—I’ve found that near misses often seem to shield me from despair. It feels as though I am being cared for, protected, and guided toward paths that serve me best.
Near misses can manifest in different ways:
Health concerns, where outcomes are not as severe as anticipated.
Personal relationships, where challenging situations resolve themselves.
Financial difficulties, where solutions emerge unexpectedly.
Work commitments, where stressful situations don’t spiral out of control.
For me, there is a consistent sense of protection—a guiding hand that prevents harm and steers me in positive directions.
Yet, not everyone seems to experience life this way. Some people appear to face major crises or challenges without the reprieve of near misses. Why is this? Is it possible that some significant events are necessary to capture their attention and prompt meaningful change?
From my perspective, while past events shape the momentum of future occurrences, every situation serves a purpose. When cared for, we are nudged—or “bumpered”—toward new directions if we take the time to notice. Often, deeply ingrained habits and thought patterns need significant disruptions to produce meaningful change.
Living with gratitude fosters the belief that life is guided. You accept your past decisions, whether positive or negative, and trust that everything serves a purpose in refining your life and fulfilling your potential.
This is where faith plays a pivotal role. Faith allows you to believe that your life is being guided with good intentions. It helps you acknowledge your past and trust that life’s ultimate purpose is to help you thrive and grow—not to cause harm or destruction. As human beings, we are meant to live, thrive, and evolve, not to diminish ourselves.