Sometimes to move ahead, we need to take a step back. This necessary and important aspect of life is often ignored, especially when we are doing well and things are going our way. We view taking a step back as an impediment to our speed. On the contrary; it is an enabler in life.

It creates space for us to review and evaluate our life and the way things are going. This space provides a powerful opportunity to review, reflect, and redirect the flow of our thoughts and actions.

It gives us perspective. Every artist knows she needs to step back from her work to view it from a distance before adding more brushstrokes. When we are too close to everything we do, we sometimes don’t see things as clearly. Perspective allows us to see the larger picture, recognise options, and make adjustments.

It mends strained relationships. Sometimes life gets complicated with people closest to us. And before we know it, one thing leads to another and we find the relationship under pressure. When we take a step back, not only do we re-evaluate where the other person is coming from, we learn to take an honest look at ourselves.

It tempers our ego. In the heat of things, we tend to harden our stand and become rigid in our position. When we step back, we put the issue before ourselves. We operate from the principle – ‘what is right, not who is right’. We develop the willingness and ability to be flexible and understanding.

It prepares us for our next move. A good chess player knows when to move his pieces back to realign them, before launching his next attack to win the game.

It displays our love. When we step back and allow someone else their space and way of doing things, it’s not a sign of weakness or indifference. We love them enough to make the relationship more important than constantly asserting our opinions.

There are times we need to take a strong principled stand. Like a dance, when we take a step back, we allow the other to take a step forward. Stepping back doesn’t compromise us. It creates win-win solutions.

Whenever we feel we have had a setback in life, we need to only remember to take a step back. And the way forward will reveal itself.

(Picture-Southern coast of Ireland)