Knowledge is a valuable asset. From early on we hear that it’s important to study hard in order to find a good job, so that we can have a decent life. However, there’s one thing that’s forgotten. Knowledge and skills are just one part of the story. We often underestimate just how important luck is. Being in the right place in the right time can open the door possibilities to employ one’s potential to the fullest.
Life is a lottery
Imagine that you’re on way to a job interview. You've been preparing for days, trying to guess what questions you'll be asked. It's your dream job! It just has to go perfectly! There won't ever be such a golden opportunity. The big day comes. You take your car and make sure you arrive on time. Then, someone crashes into you at the traffic light. Nobody is hurt but you can't make it for the interview. There goes a dream. Or does it?
We tend to think in black and white. We sometimes feel like if an amazing opportunity happens, then it can't possibly ever repeat itself. Or that we won't ever get a better one. Well, how do we know? The thing is - we don't. We're not fortune tellers. Nobody knows what will 5 years from now, not even a couple of months from now. Well, not even tomorrow!
A new job offers shows up. It's not really what you're after but... the interview goes pretty well and you get the position. That's quite nice yet there's this voice in your head saying that what if you had made it to the other interview. It turns out that the new job is actually quite straightforward and matches your skills. You end up proceeding up the ladder rather quickly. Life is actually pretty good. It's not particularly stressful, the salary is good. Was this really the disaster that you thought it would be?
Jumping into the unknown
Risks are to be taken. It’s without a doubt that one ends up making mistakes. There will be detours but they are also lessons. Regret should not take over rational thinking. Every mistake should be analysed carefully. What happened and what led to the outcome? One has to be honest and not play the victim that it’s others’ fault. There’s always something one could have done differently.
This should be applied to any annoyances, really. It’s like a kind of mindfulness but not about one’s emotional and spiritual state but like “life awareness”. I don’t believe this clashes with one’s religious beliefs. Does it? At least I don’t intend to make an offense.
I appreciate your life awareness. Life is a lively game that has to be played fairly.