During their current school year my eldest daughter's class has been given the opportunity to learn a stringed instrument. At the beginning of term she came home with a viola, and started practising the notes, scales and pieces of music she was being taught at school. Her initial enthusiasm quickly subsided though, and the viola spent more and more time in its case.
When asked why she wasn't as interested in her instrument now as she had been at first, she pointed out that she actually had her eye on the cello but was been beaten to it by a fellow student. She had tried to embrace the viola - but unfortunately she couldn't get quite as excited about it as she could the cello. She was quick to add though that the pupil who had selected the cello was no longer taking the music class, and as a result the cello remained in the cupboard un-used during the lessons.
This was an opportunity that was too good to miss. So with a little encouragement to boost her confidence, off she went to school the next day to "reach for the cello"! She asked her music teacher if she could switch instruments, and in so doing not only did she get to play the instrument she had wanted to play all along, but she also learned a valuable lesson about looking for and taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves - sometimes unexpectedly.
It is a lesson that we can all learn from. How often are we too wrapped up in day to day routine to even notice opportunities? How often do we spot them but fail to take decisive action, and the opportunity disappears? Or have we begun to accept things the way they are, and leave the opportunities for others instead?
There are opportunities all around us every day. Opportunities to learn and develop, opportunities to try something new, or travel somewhere we haven't been before. Business opportunities, job opportunities, the chance to help others, or volunteer to support a worthy cause, or simple social opportunities to enjoy time with others and enrich our life.
The question is - next time one of these opportunities makes itself available, will you "reach for the cello"?
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