Ascertaining whether one is looking at the trees instead of the forest is a life-changing skill that must be honed and refined, for being able to see the big picture leads to a place that once seemed unreal.
The first step in ascertaining one's place in the enlightenment of the forest-and-trees story is to understand that the trees represent microscopic attention, while the forest symbolizes holistic awareness.
This metaphor is a foundational principle of a vibrant and deeply satisfying life—recognize the trees for what they are, while maintaining the strategic ability to zoom out and see the true nature of your motion picture—magic potion as a special gift from Seity, is now at your discretionary disposal.
Paying attention to the nuts and bolts of a meaningful, homeostatic life is mission-critical in the day-to-day shaping of material existence within a free-range avatar's extraordinary life inside a phantasmagorical dream.
Neurotically spending time and precious attention on the flavor of the day blinds free spirits from observing the greater story of removing oneself from the fray.
Seity, along with the tutelary deity, points out in no uncertain terms—you cannot see the forest for the trees.
Clearly, being stuck in the quagmire of self-destructive ennui is directly related to missing the bigger picture—submerged in a sea of petty details, absorbed in minutiae, and losing sight of essential patterns and purpose—dousing the truly unique and exceptional story—or in the way of Japanese tragedy—monogatari—物語.
Overanalyzing every single minute part without understanding the meaning of the holistic system and your place within it leads to the endless darkness of not being able to see the forest for the trees.
Indeed, it is human nature to narrow one's focus under stress or complexity, and in doing so, to lose contex and coherency.
At a deeper level, it reflects the innate human struggle to integrate detail and unity, the part and the whole.
Like everything else in life, a skill to be acquired and honed—remember, in the world of the free-range avatar, nobody walks alone.
Emphatically, in both systems theory and Zen, wisdom lies in holding both the trees and the forest in clear focus simultaneously—seeing the one in the many and the many in the one.
This is a highly valuable life theme—polish your spirit and fortify your soul by seeing both the forest and the trees.
The word on the street?
Never despair—for the opportunity is there for all to share in this unique vision—to live a life of intent and purpose—to feel a deep sense of satisfaction when acquiring and applying the profoundly valuable skill of reciprocity. 
See all situations, no matter what—the material world is composed of this and that—one must clearly perceive both the forest and each of its individual trees.
Acquaint yourself with the forest while befriending all the trees, birds, and bees, to see the grand picture of an extraordinary personal journey—creating a monumental destiny inside the bosom of Seity and the tutelary deity.
Embrace each day with a daily dose of natto as you venerate the beauty of the vision—the exquisite canopy of the mental forest and your allies, the trees.
