Opportunity: Will You Seize It?

It happened. Yesterday.

I turned 39.

I guess it’s not really a big deal. Fingers crossed I’m not even half way through my life. But 39 means that I’m now less than year away from 40. For those of us that haven’t turned 40 yet, being 40 sounds old. I’m sure, when I do get there, it won’t really feel old. But psychologically, 40 sounds old.

I remember at 20, thinking about someone that was 30. They were old. They were experienced – in life. At least, that’s what I thought.

Then, all of a sudden, I turned 30. It wasn’t that big of a deal. I didn’t feel much different to being in my 20s. And I knew that 40 was a long way away. I had time to play with.

But now it’s almost here. It’s almost upon me and yet I have so much still to live for, to achieve.

But then I remember. I remember what I have done, what I have achieved, what I have accomplished. It’s a lot. I’m not being big headed – sit down with anyone that’s almost 40 and list their personal accomplishments. Even the most mediocre person has achieved a lot. We shouldn’t forget that.

But there’s still so much more. This can fill many people with dismay. People realize that there’s so much more and the reality sinks in. The reality that there’s far too much more and they won’t be able to achieve it all. Life is simply too short.

Or is it? Perhaps the fact that there is so much more is what makes us alive, what fuels us. Perhaps that’s the beauty of it. Perhaps the fact that there are so many opportunities is what makes life so glorious. Perhaps.

The opportunities are there. The first 40 years don’t matter.

Each year, up to now, however old you are, were the building blocks. It doesn’t matter where you are in life. It resets. It starts again.

If you’re a millionaire, billionaire, bankrupt, spouse, parent, happy-go-lucky fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of person, happy or even depressed it’s the same thing for you. Life starts from where you are now. Each day is a new day. Each day represents new opportunities.

But there’s one dilemma. It’s a choice. It’s your choice. It’s up to you. You can seize these opportunities. Or you can let them sail right past you.

I’m going to choose to seize opportunities. What about you?

Main photo by Kevin Dooley.