How One Delay Shaped My Perspective

In the course of my recent journey, a most remarkable turn of events took place. Yesterday, I missed a flight for the first time in my memory. My wife and I were slated to depart from Houston to North Carolina at 7:40 am, yet we found ourselves at the airport at 7:45 am. The sequence of events leading to this tardiness was indeed quite peculiar. It all began with an unexpected power outage at the hotel, resulting in the disruption of the hotel’s network, as well as my private connection. Despite being prepared to depart, we found ourselves unable to secure an Uber ride to transport us to the airport.

Now, my general philosophy dictates that all things work together for my benefit. I firmly believe that nothing is inherently negative; every circumstance, no matter how dire it may appear, ultimately leads to a favourable outcome. Therefore, amid the frenzy of our situation, I maintained a positive outlook. Surprisingly, in the midst of these events, I began to perceive a broader perspective that had previously eluded me.

Often, when we consider the notion that all things work for our good, we tend to search for tangible results that confirm this idea of goodness. However, I now recognize that my understanding of goodness was somewhat limited, overlooking a larger, more intricate narrative. Sometimes, the good that transpires may extend beyond personal gain. It may manifest as an unseen benefit for someone else, a stranger whose life may have been positively affected by our misfortune or delay. This expands the concept of “working together for good” far beyond materialistic consequences. As a result of my delay, it is possible that someone in dire need was able to board a standby flight, and in this, I find solace.

Our perspectives hold significant weight. They represent the ever-evolving lens through which we perceive the world—shaping our understanding, influencing our perception, and ultimately defining our reality.

Kind Regards,

Adeolu Akinyemi