The seahorse is an incredible animal. It’s technically a fish, and yet it resembles a Frankenstein combination of creatures. The seahorse has the head of a horse, the tail of a monkey, the nose of an anteater, the skin of a crocodile, the pouch of a kangaroo, and the eyes of a chameleon.
I could add to this list, but I’ll end with a description of the eyes. The two eyes of the seahorse move independently of each other. This means that the seahorse can see forward and backward at the same time. The unique vision of this tiny fish makes it one of the most effective predators of the sea, with a successful hunting rate of over 90 percent. God has equipped this remarkable creature for endurance, and its ability to simultaneously look forward and backward helps it flourish.
Think about looking forward and backward at the same time. What if we were able to do this? I heard people use the phrase “to have eyes in the back of your head.” This means you know everything that is happening around you. That might be a handy skill, but it’s not possible.
Yet, if you’re like me, a seahorse perspective means you often look back at your past with regrets while facing the future with fears. There are lurking moments in your past you wish you could change—and there are uncertainties ahead you wish you could control. This is where we live every day, and this “mental backward and forward-thinking” could have a negative impact on us. Is it possible to frame these two views so we can see and function clearly? I answer, “Yes.” Here are two simple ideas.
First, fix your eyes ahead to the sure promises of God. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you, to guide you, to provide for you, and to be with you now and in the future. Second, look back and remember that complete redemption is already secured for you. All regrets from your past are paid for and covered through the atoning work of Jesus. I encourage you to exchange your fears and regrets for certain hope as you remember what God has done for you through Jesus. Having this mindset helps bring the things of life to the right perspective.
At Doing Good at Work, we help people create workplace cultures where people can bring their whole selves to work. This doesn’t happen by accident, but you can create a plan to build the workplace culture you want. Click HERE to start the conversation about developing a plan.
REMEMBER: Better People make Better Businesses, and Better Businesses make a Better World.
Encouraging Others,
Boomer
Dr. Boomer Brown, Ph.D., is the CEO of Doing Good at Work, a 501(c) 3 organization that operates with the efficiency of a business. Our mission is to ‘Make People Better’ because we firmly believe that better people make better businesses, and better businesses make a better world. We invite you to learn more about our work and how you can be part of this transformative journey: https://doinggoodatwork.com/