Opportunity Flows

Opportunity abounds most every where in life. You may pass it daily and not recognize that it is there. It flows through businesses, personal lives and out on the street where you may least expect it. There are those opportunities that you find or those that are presented to you directly.

But things can or cannot happen relative to opportunity if you are not prepared. First, if you ready yourself by increasing your knowledge, knowledge of anything and everything, then you are prepared for opportunity that is presented to you. Additionally, you will be able to identify opportunity flowing eveywhere that otherwise you may not have seen.

You also have to be prepared for change. The type of change that is required to take hold of things that come your way. Many of us have a tendency to build walls of resistance to change. This prevents us from seeing or being able to grab hold of new possibilities. If you break down that wall of resistance, you will see a difference.

It is said that opportunity is like water. When it comes to containing water, it will always find a way, a path through which it can flow. If you dam it up, the water will rise and flow over the top. If a leak in the dam occurs, the water will find it and open it further. Opportunity is like this as well. It will flow to the path of least resistance and if you have a wall built up around you, the flow will occur to those that are open.

"It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." - Whitney M. Young

Now That's What I'm Talking About

Words of inspiration and eloquence and even laughter that flow from my blog seem inadequate at times. Those times are when I read a great book that is crafted with moving grace. Or when I hear a great speaker with wonderous motivation. And like tonight when I saw a movie that tells a story that can move another to greatness.

This movie is called, "The Pursuit of Happyness". Now that's what I'm talking about!

If you take all that I've written and formulated it into a single tale of overcoming and never giving up your dream, then this true story comes very close. It is filled with all of the "un"-happy things that can stand in your way of achieving a dream. It contains the moment that one makes the 'choice' to make change.

Once that happens and movement begins, the obstacles will surely come. But with a brave and believing heart, success can be yours. Watch it if you can at some point in life, see what can happen for you when you pursue 'happyness'. In a quote that I've read, it is said "some pursue happiness - others create it." You must pursue it for no one will simply give it to you. Create the ability to achieve happiness in your life.

Now that's what I'm talking about!

Opportunity Taken By Preparation

There is a story of the boy David, who had the courage to face the giant, Goliath. With everyone saying no one could defeat the giant Goliath, using his sling, David killed Goliath. Our own present day marketing promotions use this story in many ways to stir public interest in the next big thing or even the next big story. All in an attempt to get you, the consumer to watch or buy the show or item.

Over this college football bowl marathon, we were deluged by the use of this story in promoting a football game between Boise State University and the University of Oklahoma. Time upon time it was said how could this little team called Boise State hold up against the big and mighty Oklahoma Sooners? Describing it this way made it appear as though this small school was being given a chance to upset a powerful opponent. And that it would be disasterous for the mighty team to lose.

Boise State, a school with nearly 11,000 undergraduate students and a football budget of $4.5 million in expenses on revenues of $8.5 million defeated the University of Oklahoma. The larger school with an enrollment of roughly 18,000 undergraduates and a football program that spends about $13.5 million on revenues of almost $34 million. Information available through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.

Certainly the numbers would say it is a case of David versus Goliath. But maybe it is really one of a school embarking on a change years ago. One that set them on a path to success. A change that would help prepare them for this wonderful opportunity in a football game. This Boise State team did not 'all of a sudden' appear in a major college bowl.

During this particular season, they first appeared in the football ratings at #25 in week four of the season and reaching the #10 spot by week fourteen. A steady and gradual rise in the polls as they improved each week. Yet their movement towards success happened well before this football season ever started.

A sports writer I'm not, but what I am trying to illustrate is that it didn't "just happen" for this team. It took years of change and improvement and finally culminated in the ascent the team took this particular football season. It is a great story of making the changes necessary to take advantage of opportunity.

The same can be said for your own life. You can not simply wait for opportunity, you have to change and improve yourself. If you do not, you will not be prepared when the opportunity does come along. Start today, expect to have to persevere, expect setback. But do know that everything you do is preparing you for coming opportunity. Those moments will arrive, be ready for them.

The New Year

A new year is upon us and new reasons to lift yourself to a new level. Throughout the past year, I have spoken of making change now. To start a new path and not to wait around for the right opportunity. The sun has dawned on a new day and chapter in your life.

The poet Edith Lovejoy Pierce wrote, "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." On this the first day of the year, let us all take the opportunity to write a new future for those around us, for our community, for our children and for ourselves.

It all begins now, so take hold and experience a greater life. Have a happy and great new year.