You're probably wondering why I have tilted this photo of an Opportunity Freeway exit sign. While there are plenty of websites, books, magazines, and motivational speakers to tell you all about Opportunity and being prepared for it, there is still nothing like real life to set application to all the talk, hype, and theory behind it.
I would like to share that I was jolted by not being prepared for Opportunity just recently and thus the reason for a tilted photo.
I was presented with an Opportunity to buy into a new housing community, the price seemed reasonable, the house square footage was worth the home value, and the location seemed to fit this phase of my life. However, after one night of considering the costs, risks of selling where I live with the timing of where I want to buy, the answer was painfully clear. I could not sign any contracts today in my financial state. I simply was not prepared to be house hunting, and with the holidays kicking off this past weekend, who really is anyways?
I would like to share how heart breaking it was to see a great property lot and a beautiful house slip out of my fingers, but in all reality, it was a dream to begin with. It's tough to realize when you're feeling like life is going in a positive direction, your comfort level gives you a little extra confidence, your eyes get a little wider for the next step in life, and you begin to have hopes and dreams that are tempting you a little stronger. The fall back to reality was hard for sure.
It took the rest of the day and into the next to really pick myself back up and get balanced with the concrete plans I had to keep working on, and staying in the house I currently live in. I'm comfortably writing from my small home office niche, and the simplicity of a single desk, shelves on a wall, a cork board on the opposite wall and stacks of papers that life seems to send you in the mail or print out when you pay bills online!
I think everyone has moments in life when you really wish you were ready for that opportunity that seems right for you, but something in the equation just wasn't right, not all the pieces fit, and any other cliche comment you can think of to play into the metaphor of missing that opportunity!
Everyone has a story for the opportunity that got away and the opportunity that worked out for them. I would love to hear your stories of the ups and downs, the successes and the failures. If you can relate, or you would like to share advice, have some comfort words to remind me and others to look up for the next opportunity that I will be ready for next time, or just want to share. Please comment, or write me.
I think stories about life's challenges are always more inspiring from the people who live them. So keep living out there, and find the time to write back about your story!
-The Establishment