Have you noticed? Our understanding of any given experience often transforms dramatically with the passage of time. To that end, there’s an expression I’ve always loved: “In the fullness of time….” What I take from it is the notion of allowing ourselves the grace of time before finalizing our judgments on life’s current events. We often rush to categorize our experiences as triumphs or disasters, blessings or curses. Yet life repeatedly teaches us that these instant assessments frequently miss the mark. To me, it’s not merely a poetic phrase—it’s a philosophy that acknowledges how our understanding deepens and transforms as days turn into months, and months into years.
In the fullness of time, there is a shifting landscape of perception. For example, that argument with your partner that felt relationship-ending in the moment? Six months later, you might recognize it as the conversation that finally established clear boundaries or expectations. The job opportunity you missed and mourned? A year later, you may find yourself in a position far better suited to your talents and aspirations.
In the fullness of time, we can observe relationships through a long-term lens. For example, the business associate who once drove you to frustration with their cautious approach to decisions may later appear as the thoughtful counterbalance to your impulsivity. The friend whose absence during a difficult period felt like betrayal might have been fighting private battles you couldn’t see at the time.
In the fullness of time, we can separate momentary behavior from enduring essence, to distinguish between patterns and anomalies, to forgive what once seemed unforgivable. With distance, we begin to understand people’s actions within the broader context of their character and circumstances.
In the fullness of time, we can more objectively assess our own career paths and gain the wisdom of the retrospective. Professional journeys often reveal the limitations of immediate judgment. The promotion that went to someone else, the project that failed despite your best efforts, the company restructuring that eliminated your position—these events that feel devastating in the moment often initiate unexpected growth.
In the fullness of time, we cultivate a sense of patience with our perceptions. The challenge, of course, is remembering this wisdom when we’re in the thick of difficult circumstances. How do we access the perspective that only time provides when we haven’t yet had the time? Perhaps the answer lies not in trying to fast-forward our emotions but in holding our judgments more lightly.
In the fullness of time, we’ll know more than we do today. Down the road, we can acknowledge the pain, disappointment, or confusion of the then-present moment while maintaining a humble awareness that our immediate understanding is incomplete. At a future point in time, our perspectives will broaden, our emotions will settle, and our capacity for understanding will deepen.
“In the fullness of time” isn’t about minimizing present struggles; rather, it’s about extending ourselves the grace to evolve our interpretations as the complete story unfolds.
In the fullness of time… Happy Networking!