Was the Ticket Good or Bad?

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
                                                  — William Shakespeare, Hamlet

It’s human nature to label the events in our lives as “good” or “bad,” especially when they don’t unfold according to our plans or expectations. But what if those very labels are limiting our growth? What if what we see as a setback is actually the beginning of a breakthrough?

One of the most profound lessons we can learn is that meaning is not found in the event itself, but in how we interpret and respond to it.

Sometimes life reminds us of this truth. It disrupts plans, shifts priorities, and forces us to adapt in ways we never imagined. And yet, for many, it can also became a time of deep reflection, renewed purpose, and unexpected opportunity. It shows us the power of perspective and the importance of staying nimble—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.Let me share a story that beautifully illustrates this idea.

Let me share a story that I think beautifully illustrates this.

The Ticket That Saved a Life

An attorney in Southern California was finishing an appointment in Orange County and heading north on the 405 Freeway toward LAX. Running late, he quietly hoped traffic would be in his favor. As he merged onto the open highway, he felt a wave of relief. The road was clear, the car steady, and the pace smooth. He relaxed into the moment and set his cruise control to match the flow of traffic.

Moments later, flashing red lights appeared in his rearview mirror. Pulled over by the California Highway Patrol, he was issued a speeding ticket—a $250 reminder to slow down. Frustrated and now even more behind schedule, he re-entered traffic, this time carefully observing the speed limit.

Only a few minutes later, traffic ground to a complete stop. A 50-car accident had occurred just ahead, at the exact place he likely would have been had he not been delayed.

And in that moment, the meaning of the “ticket” changed.

What seemed like a penalty became a gift. What felt like an inconvenience became protection. What looked like a problem revealed itself as grace.

So, was the ticket good or bad?

That depends entirely on the lens through which we choose to view it.

Rewriting Your Own Story

Think about an experience in your life that, at the time, felt overwhelmingly negative. A job that ended. A relationship that broke apart. A health challenge. A lost opportunity.

Now, ask yourself: What did this experience give me?
How did it shape me?
Who did I become because of it?

So often, it’s only in hindsight that we can see the deeper meaning behind our most difficult moments. What once seemed like an obstacle becomes the very thing that shaped our strength, our clarity, our purpose.

That’s what breakthrough is about—not avoiding life’s challenges, but learning how to rise through them with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

Ready for Your Breakthrough?

If you're standing at a crossroads—facing a challenge, seeking clarity, or simply ready for more—my Breaking Through Online Course is here to guide you.

This course was created to help you see life’s “tickets” not as punishments, but as invitations. To shift your mindset. To access your inner strength. To create meaning that empowers you, rather than limits you.

You have more power than you think.

Let’s harness it—together.

To your growth,

Chris Natzke
Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching