Have any of you had that feeling of "Damn, it was a great opportunity. Why didn't I take it?" Well, if you haven't, I've felt this enough for all of you. I don't mean to be too depressing, but there was a time in my life that was filled with the echoes of "should have ... could have ... would have ..."
This week's proverb, like so many proverbs, suggestsacting right away, as soon as we have the opportunity to do something. It's very rare to get a second chance. If you miss the opportunity once, you probably won't get the opportunity again.
Why "knocks"? What does it mean? This proverb likens opportunity to a person who comes and knocks on your door to offer you a chance. Opportunity will knock, and if you do not come to the door, it will go away. It won't knock again. It won't knock twice.
You would think most people would jump at any opportunity presented to them. So what's the use of the proverb? Fear of failure, fear of the unfamiliar, complacency, guilt, laziness, concern for others, any one of these reasons could stop someone from taking up on an opportunity presented to them. Also many people don't recognize opportunities for what they are.
One way to stop yourself from missing an opportunity is to always have in mind what you want out of life. Not just one thing, all the things you want out of life. Keep them in mind and try to tie everything you encounter to those things. It helps to keep a list. And by a list I don't mean the next Prince album or a new fountain pen or a pair of shoes, I mean something a little more long term. These could be publishing a book, helping the poor, making a ton of money or ruling the world. Keeping your goals in mind will help propel you through the door and into the arms of opportunity.
But more importantly, what I think this proverb is trying to say is that you should just take ANY opportunity that presents itself. Just throw yourself into anything, irrespective of whether it suits your goals or not. It might help you in the future. It might not. But it will lead to something that will enrich your life in some way. And you don't want to miss out on that, do you?
So next time, when you hear that knock, open the door.
Q1 What kind of goals does Kana suggest focusing on?
A1) Long term goals
A2) Short term goals
A3) Easy goals
正解： A1) Long term goals
Q2 What does Kana suggest you do when opportunity is offered to you?
A1) Take it, whatever the opportunity is.
A2) Take it if you think it will help you.
A3) Better not take it, it could cause you trouble.
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