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When Opportunity Knocks

by Vidya Sury July 24, 2019 5 comments
When Opportunity Knocks, how do you respond?

Ever sat back and mused with regret over not opening the door when opportunity knocked? Over lost opportunities? That wonderful opportunity you didn’t or couldn’t take? Any you missed this week? Why did you miss them?

I’ve had moments when I ponder over that opportunity I missed—and with it comes regret. There are times that opportunities knock at our door, but we feel tied up and unable to take them up because of our situation in life.

Most of the decisions we make in life prevent us from jumping up and grabbing an opportunity. For example—when we take up a job, it is a commitment we have to keep and this keeps us from taking up something that might stop us from doing this. When we get married and have kids, we’re focused on a routine that really doesn’t let us run off with friends on a backpacking trip. It’s a fact of life, whether or not we admit it.

But there are moments when we prefer to stay locked in life’s situation simply because it is safer to do so. And when opportunity knocks, we won’t take advantage of it. We consciously keep those doors bolted because by opening them, involves taking up the challenge of change. We are afraid of disrupting the routines and habits we are comfortable with, feel secure about. When we choose not to open the door, we slowly stop recognizing opportunities when they knock.

These opportunities can be in the form of a new job, a new relationship, a new hobby or activity, learning something new, getting rid of what we don’t need, letting go—some kind of change. But unless we’re open to them, watch for them so we don’t miss them when we see them, these windows of opportunity will shut automatically if we don’t respond.

In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.

Another thing—we mustn’t be so busy with our routine, rushing around, that we don’t notice an opportunity when it is nudging us. The truth is, the doors of opportunity always surround us. That’s the beauty of life. They don’t always present themselves in the avatar we expect. Often, we are so surprised by the opportunity, we miss it–we don’t recognize it for what it is. And sometimes we are so caught up with accomplishing a long-term goal that we lose perspective. We forget to live in the present moment—we miss what is right in front of our eyes.

I love these words by Rita Coolidge:

Too often, the opportunity knocks, but by the time you push back the chain, push back the bolt, unhook the two locks and shut off the burglar alarm, it’s too late.

Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them

Something to think about:

  • Have you had opportunities in the past that you haven’t taken up? Why?
  • If you regretted not taking them, what did you do about it?
  • How do you recognize opportunities?

Wednesday Wisdom is a series with short bursts of easy-to-consume wisdom in the form of stories, quotes, anecdotes, reflections, easy meditation, thought-provoking questions and humor.

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5 comments

Lauren Kinghorn July 25, 2019 at 12:21 am

Hi Vidya, oh, Thanks for the nudge! I’m naturally spontaneous and I thrive on new opportunities and challenges.

Just as I was wracking my brains to come up with a missed opportunity, you mentioned travel and family life and how we set aside certain things consciously and it dawned on me that yes, I’ve been doing that for years.

I am not open to opportunities that involve travel and perhaps its time I allowed that richness into my life again. Because I’m sure I’m depriving myself and my kids of deeply fulfilling experiences. Travel is one of the greatest teachers I know.

Ooh… and while we are on the subject, on my bucket list, I’d like to walk the Camino de Santiago.
Lauren Kinghorn recently posted…How to Make Your New Business Thrive

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Karmen July 25, 2019 at 12:24 am

This is so absolutely true. Many times I wasted an opportunity saying I don’t have time, or that it’s not a good time. But actualy I am just scared to do it, scared to get out of my routine… Thank you for this wisdom and motivation. Maybe next time I won’t pass that great opportunity.
Karmen recently posted…Are #Hashtags still a thing in 2019?

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Felicia July 25, 2019 at 8:23 am

Hello! I think that the number one reason why people pass up opportunities are because of the fear of change. The fear of the unknown especially when you’ve already established a routine that fits your life so well. I have gotten in my routine lately and when I tried to introduce something new it threw me off and it’s taken some time to adjust but it’s so worth it! Being in the military we’ve had to adjust and adapt more than I’ve wanted to but it has made our lives so much more enriching!
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Leana July 25, 2019 at 11:53 am

Hi! I always been very positive and in fact an opportunist and I have learned over the years to grab it with both hands. There has been times where I looked pass and opportunity and at the end of the day I regret it.
Thanks for this positive article – I like it 🙂

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Lynne Huysamen July 26, 2019 at 9:48 am

Thank you for this very important reminder Vidya, living in the present moment is so important! I love new opportunities but I totally understand what you mean about being si wrapped up that you miss things. It reminds me what my mom often tells me – you can’t see the forest because of all the trees!

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