Have you ever thought something was bound to work out but it never seems to? Something on the cusp of happening, the pieces about to fall into place, but they haven’t yet? In my life, opportunities have come along to do many different things, some for my career and others in more creative circles. At the time, I couldn’t know whether taking each opportunity was the right or wrong decision, but I’ve definitely felt the disappointment of putting myself out there and it not working out.
One particular opportunity came along when I was at intermediate, at eleven years old. I had played cricket since I was five, and over time built confidence in my batting game. I could occupy the crease for a long time, making sure I did not give my wicket away cheaply. This led to a bit of acknowledgement and invitation to play for an age group representative team, travelling a few times out of town to play some games, winning some and losing some. After a bit of time playing for this team, an experienced coach within the same club, one with a focus on helping individual players improve specific skills, offered me an opportunity to practice batting with a bowling machine.
I very nearly almost took the opportunity. There were several reasons I didn’t, and I have often wondered what would have happened if I’d set mind to working on my cricketing skills, and given more time to it. One thing I learned from the experience was to think about each opportunity, and if time is available collect all the information before making a decision. Might seem like common sense, but this almost gut reaction to stay where I was, learning from coaches who had probably already taught me all they could, definitely cemented this lesson in my mind.
Later on in my sporting life I took up ultimate (frisbee), working my way to representing New Zealand at multiple world tournaments. Each was a brilliant experience, guided by the games I had played at our national tournaments. I prefer playing in the mixed division, and have had a goal of winning the New Zealand Mixed Ultimate Championships since I began playing in 2005.
The number of times I have achieved this goal is zero.
I have played with a team that finished second and a team that finished third. I have played on a team with a very good roster which lost 15-14 in our quarter final. So close, several times, but never topping the podium. As time goes on I’m getting older, and staying in good enough shape and form to stay on pace with the up and coming younger generation of players is becoming more time consuming. I still believe I can do it, and think maybe it should have already come to fruition, but there’s still a voice in the back of my mind which says I can be part of a team that wins. Only time will tell.
In my writing efforts I am yet to publish a novel. Some stories I have made it partway through writing and stopped. Now, I have a finished manuscript, with one comprehensive edit completed, and I’ve sent it to with some beta readers. Publishing a novel is an aspirational, and very possible, goal, but requires sticking with it through the hard times.
Keep putting in the right kinds of effort, heeding when God nudges me back on track, and I’ll get there.
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What are you working on at the moment?
How are you keeping yourself motivated in the face of adversity?
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Never give up. Sometimes we can’t see the finish line but it’s just around the corner.
Keep on keeping on being awesome.
PEACE.
Cover photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels.
Hard lines, heavy times, and handblocks 
Hamish, I have learned that when an opportunity comes my whether I take it or not depends on how it makes me feel. If I feel happy, it’s meant for me. If something about it bothers me then I turn it down. Do the research and trust your gut. I wrote a post that will publish Sunday about gut feelings. Keep writing and take care.
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You’re absolutely right. When something about a particular opportunity doesn’t resonate within us, it’s usually because it’s not the opportunity for us. Might be difficult to reconcile at the time, because it seems to be leading where we want to go, but maybe the journey we take instead leads to somewhere more prosperous?
Thank you for your encouragement and wisdom. I can *know* something, but hearing from others who have travelled a similar journey helps me keep putting one foot in front of the other. Little by little, and we will get there.
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Congratulations 🎉 on the progress you have made! What an accomplishment. Writing a novel is an aspiration of mine as well. Just need to keep that “Field of Dreams” mentality. 😉 If you write it, they will come. Sorry, if the reference is too obscure, it was the first thing that came to mind. I’m a Big Ben Franklin fan. Why? Because he is the brilliant man who created the Pro Con List, which is my go to when an opportunity presents itself. I find it gives me the perspective I need to make the best choice. Seeing an opportunity from all sides is important.
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I love the “Field of Dreams” reference. First we must have a book for people to read – it is very difficult to read the story present on blank pages! (A reader can imagine their own awesome story there but it will not be the one that we would have written there!)
In the past year or so I have heard much about Benjamin Franklin and his actions which encouraged productivity. Every night I write myself a basic to do list for the day that is to come. Then, I check of the things I did during that day. I used to become annoyed about not doing things, but now I assess whether it was something I needed to do, or whether adjustment in those goals is required.
Seeing an opportunity from all sides is important. It gives us all of the information we require to make the best choice for *us*. Peace to you, from this rainy and windy day in Wellington, New Zealand.
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Hamish, recognizing opportunity is usually not a simple matter. It seems to me that you have accomplished quite a lot. There will be more accomplishments in the future, I think. Enjoy the process! ❤
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Enjoy the process! This is something I am so glad wonderful friends like yourself remind me of. A journey is most definitely more than where we began and where we end up. Maybe we don’t even make it to where we thought we would when we set out? In my novel, I know things have changed dramatically from when I started, and more hard work has been required than I thought at the beginning. It has been a wonderful way for me to connect with others, and encourage others that they too can accomplish that goal that seems far off in the distance sometimes!
Peace to you, Cheryl, and I hope this coming week provides much inspiration for your beautiful poetry.❤
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