The Importance to Seize Opportunity

Even though we have innumerable opportunities in our lives, seizing the right one at the right time is still a considerable challenge for most of us. As James E. Faust said, "Some of our important choices have a timeline. If we delay a decision, the opportunity is gone forever. Sometimes our doubts keep us from making a choice that involves changes. Thus an opportunity may be missed." For me, it was volleyball. I was once standing on the pier of my life, watching all those little opportunity boats flowing away as I failed to get on board.

Little did I know that seizing my opportunities at the right time was such a critical thing.

Two years ago, when I first came here, I was so passionate about team sports, especially volleyball. The team cooperation, friendships, and camaraderies were deeply appealing to me. However, the try out was in the middle of the summer, and I was at home, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, so, unfortunately, I missed that opportunity.

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My junior year was no different; I was at home and could not find a chance to communicate with the head coach. Another great chance of joining the team was abandoned by me again.

After letting two opportunity boats flow away, I started to realize that I had to seize the chance and give it a try. In addition, this year is my last year here, so if I ditched this opportunity, there is no other possibility for me to be part of the team before I graduate.

So I went to the first home game and explained the situation to my coach. I told him how am I obsessed with this sport and how eager I was to join the team. Fortunately, after a few days he offered me an open opportunity to try out during the official practice.

My very first practice was on a Sunday morning. I was very excited yet nervous on my way to school because I clearly knew that my technique was definitely not sophisticated, and I would be the inconspicuous player in the field. However, my sense of inferiority and my fear all dropped away when I was enthusiastically welcomed by all of the players. The atmosphere was filled with support and love. The practice went fairly well, and what touched me the most was other players' ability to compassionately point something out to me with their gentle words and patiently help me with every detail of my actions.

I loved being part of the team, and even though I was not an official team member, the practice still allowed me to experience the joy of being on one. Nevertheless, not every story has a perfect ending, and neither did mine. The coach took a few minutes after the practice and told me that he totally saw my potential of playing volleyball. However, the time was not a right fit for me. Since I am a senior and practicing techniques needs time, I did not make the team.

Getting rejected was disappointing, but it was completely understandable. I could have joined the team two years ago, but I always used "missed the tryout" as an excuse and never actually went up to the coach and tried to apply for the team. I was the one who did not seize my precious opportunity and let it go, which led to the undesired outcome. On the other hand, I am glad that I took my last shot, and at least I acquired such a valuable lesson and experienced a memorable fun time with all my friends. Almost positively, I would endeavour to seize my opportunity again in the hopes of achieving success.

Works cited

1. Faust, J. E. (2006). Some of our important choices have a timeline. If we delay a decision, the opportunity is gone forever. Sometimes our doubts keep us from making a choice that involves changes. Thus an opportunity may be missed. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/214403-some-of-our-important-choices-have-a-timeline-if
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