There is always a need to blame people for our failures, but it is not always the fault of another. Sometimes, we are the reason behind our problems. Opportunities will always come by, but how well we are able to handle these opportunities matters severely. Sometimes, they are the beginning of a future yet to come. And once they are lost, this miniature future vanishes with them.
As an individual, I can literally count the times I have lost great opportunities that would have amounted to really amazing things. Sometimes, I miss them over and over again. If only I knew.
At my very tender age, my dream was informed by my parents' profession. My father, who was a trader, was doing well enough that he provided my siblings and me with all that we needed. And so, I wanted to do what he was doing. On one occasion when we were asked what we wanted to be in class, I simply answered 'businessman' while others were mentioning many professions. It was so odd that some of the students laughed, thank God for my teacher who was able to explain what it means to be a businessman to them. I guess some of them must have had thoughts of becoming one after that explanation. I myself got to realise that it meant a lot more than my father was doing.
At this stage of my life, I am no businessman yet. At least not the kind of businessman I dreamt of; I am not even up to what my father used to be. Looking back, I realise that I have missed so many opportunities that would have elevated me financially. I probably would have reached my dreams if those opportunities were grabbed. It is easy to say 'life happened', but I am tired of saying that. Facing my reality is probably the best way of becoming more serious with life and ensuring that I do not miss subsequent opportunities.
It is most likely the case that I am not alone in this. I am not the only one who has failed to actualise his dreams by mishandling or completely missing opportunities. For me, it is all about accepting the reality and the fact that we have failed. Realising that there was a mistake is probably the first stage of not subsequently making such mistakes.
In as much as we cannot go back in time, the time to come must be well managed. So much so that even the slightest of opportunities must be seen and must not be misused.
