"Who knows what is good and what is bad?"

Do you know this quote?

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."?

These words from the Danish philosopher S?ren Kierkegaard capture a truth that feels especially resonant today. They remind us that clarity often arrives only in hindsight, after we’ve already taken steps forward into the unknown.

This morning, this rings so true to me!?

With all the changes happening worldwide, it feels beyond my capacity to fully grasp the significance of everything unfolding around us. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or even lost.

This is more of speaking out loud to myself: it’s okay not to fully understand every event as it happens. “Who knows what is good and what is bad?” (Which I initially learned at my ORSC training).

What feels daunting or confusing today might reveal its value only in the months or years to come. Some of the most challenging experiences in my life—the ones I initially labeled as “bad”—have often led to the most unexpected and valuable lessons.?

Having been brought up in Albania in the 80s, who would have imagined living through communism, the collapse of that regime, and the tumultuous transition that followed? Living under communism taught me the value of resilience and adaptability. The struggles my family and community faced brought a deep appreciation for the simple things in life and a strong sense of solidarity among us.

Don’t get me wrong - there are a lot of traumas, shadows and protection mechanisms that have developed because of that time!

AND, I also see how resilience was born out of difficult situations, how new doors opened where old ones closed, and how personal growth often emerged from the most uncomfortable moments. This realization has taught me to hold a certain openness toward life, an acceptance of its twists and turns, without needing to immediately categorize them as “good” or “bad.”

That is why I wanted to offer you this phrase, as it has helped me a lot in times of change.?

“Who knows what is good and what is bad?” - it has served me as a gentle reminder to release the need for immediate answers.?

It has encouraged me to live with curiosity rather than judgment.?

While we may not fully understand the “why” or “how” of every event, we can still trust that there’s a larger picture unfolding. By staying open, we allow ourselves to experience life as it comes, without forcing it into predefined boxes.

For now, we can choose to move forward with a sense of purpose, doing our best with the knowledge and resources we have.?

So, the next time you’re tempted to label a challenge as “bad” or a loss as “negative,” take a step back. Pause, and ask yourself: Who knows what is good and what is bad? This mindset might just help you navigate uncertainty with greater grace and resilience.

In the end, we may find that life’s challenges are not roadblocks but detours guiding us toward destinations we were meant to reach all along. Embracing the unknown, we can move forward with hope, trusting that someday, when we look back, the pieces of today’s puzzle will make perfect sense.

If you need some support to bring more clarity to your pieces of your life's, leadership's and team's puzzle, let's chat!