Recently, I had a great time traveling to Rapid City with my daughter, Tasha. As we were getting caught up on each other's lives we were discussing the reasons she was going to Rapid City in the first place. She was seizing an opportunity to help a family with some serious child care needs for the next three months or more. Tasha, a very skilled and talented child care provider, reminded me that I had been the one who originally taught her to not let opportunities pass her by in life. It is a fact that I have always encouraged our children to answer the door whenever opportunity knocks-to gather all the facts, think through the process and develop a plan, to take action on these ideas and opportunities.
In order to more effectively seize opportunities in life, one must learn to watch, observe, be prepared, and plan to seize them. It is important to recognize the opportunities when they come-the phone call asking you for help is an opportunity to serve others; a free evening becomes an opportunity to meet with friends or catch up on your reading or have a family game night; a challenge at work can be an opportunity to learn something new about yourself or others.
Be willing to take risks in life, though only after you have gathered all the facts available from all sources possible. In addition, I highly recommend that you talk over opportunities with someone you trust and respect, gathering their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on the matter before making a final decision. It also helps to get it down in black and white in front of you. It's amazing how you look at things differently when you get them out of your head and down on paper.
In conclusion, let me challenge you to take the risk-don't hesitate- and seize the opportunity. It just might make your day and someone else's also! And remember this-
