What Can A Near Miss Teach Us?

You know that feeling when your brain says, “You’re fine,” but your body responds like it just wrestled a lion?

Recently, Michael was driving through a roundabout—nothing dramatic, just him, the road, and two exit options. He chose to go straight. Just then, a car from the right pulled out like he wasn’t even there. Two options: hit them… or swerve left and hope for the best.

Instinct took over. He swerved, avoided a crash, and technically, everything was fine. But here’s the thing: his heart didn’t get the memo. He was rattled. His hands were shaking, thoughts were racing—and for a few minutes, he couldn’t understand why he felt so off when he had done everything right.

And then it hit him: sometimes we fixate so hard on what almost went wrong, we forget to be grateful for what actually went right.

The Power of the Reframe

Whether it’s a near-miss in traffic or a close call in investing, it’s easy to dwell on the “what could’ve happened.” But that’s only part of the story. What if we also gave equal weight to the fact that we made the right choice under pressure?

In financial planning—and in life—it’s not about avoiding all uncertainty. It’s about responding wisely when it shows up… and then taking a breath and appreciating the outcome.

Gratitude Isn’t Just a Buzzword

There’s real power in acknowledging the win—even if it wasn’t the kind you cheer for. You stayed calm, acted quickly, protected your path forward. That matters.

So the next time your heart races after a “what if” moment—on the road, in the market, or anywhere else—pause and ask: What did I just learn about myself? Chances are, it’s something worth celebrating.

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” — Alphonse Karr