Dear reader,
Or dare I say? Dearest Gentle Reader, because after watching the latest Bridgerton season, I feel like The Lady Whistledown herself.
If you’re reading this, I hope you’re well.
I read a book recently — Never Lie by Freida McFadden, a psychological thriller about a couple stranded in a psychiatrist’s house who had disappeared three years ago.
The psychological thriller genre is easily my favourite genre. I love the thrill of discovering who did what, the suspense, the mind games, and the bittersweet feeling as the mystery unravels. But I digress. I want to talk about a quote I saw in the book.
There are many quotes about opportunity.
- “When opportunity knocks, answer the door.”
- “Opportunity comes, but only once.”
- “When opportunity knocks, make sure your door is not locked.”
I don’t know who said the other quotes, but Milton Berle said this — “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.”
Opportunity, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is the possibility of doing something.
It is often said that we should wait for the “right” opportunity. We have to wait and be ready for the knock. But nowadays, they don’t come often. And if we wait, we might keep waiting for a long time.
This is why Milton Berle’s quote stood out to me. We shouldn't sit and wait for the “right” anything. We have to make things right for ourselves, by building our doors.
To build a door is to make a way, instead of waiting and depending on luck or chance. To build a door is to do something, anything. The best opportunities come to those who are ready and working towards them, not those who do nothing but wait.
To build a door is to work, even if you deserve better than being there. But you’re there anyway, doing the work, gathering the experience, building and laying the bricks of a strong foundation.
To build a door is to start afraid, not knowing what the outcome will be; to start inexperienced; to start small; to start anyway, no matter the circumstances.
There’s no right time; the best time is now.
Build a door, and opportunity will come knocking.
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