Can You Imagine Only One Chance In Life?

Two weeks ago, I was in Sydney, Australia to speak at a marketing seminar. While I was there for 7 days, I took the advantage of doing some minor sightseeing for fun.

One of them was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I was not the only guy who’s fascinated with this– other celebrities who climbed included Matt Damon, Robert DeNiro, Sir Richard Branson and a few others I can’t recalled.

sydney harbour bridge Can You Imagine Only One Chance In Life?

It was a clear sunshine day with blue skies and the fluffiest white clouds. We were very enthusiastic to ‘climb’ to the top of the bridge in the late evening.

There’s a guide who briefed us on the use of the safety equipment and details of the climb and we were off. The climb to the top of the bridge didn’t take long, although it probably felt like an eternity while we were at it. At first, it was kind of scary because I have minor height phobia.

During the climb, our guide told an interesting story and it struck me.

He told us of an eagle that made its nest at the top of the bridge. The bird laid 3 eggs that all hatched to healthy chirping baby birds. As time went by, one of the hatchlings was ready to make its first flight.

It stood out at the edge of its nest, flapped its wings and took a leap of faith… to learn how to fly.

Unfortunately for that poor hatchling, it never had its glorious flight into the sunset. Maybe the wind was too strong on that day. Who knew the reason why it did not fly successfully. It couldn’t stop itself from spiraling downwards towards
the fast approaching concrete road far below its nest. The little bird fell to the ground and was run over by a car.

Thus, ends a life so full of promise…

I couldn’t help but see how closely the story of the little bird resembles real life.

That little bird had only ONE chance to learn how to fly. Make or break, do or die. Can you imagine if you were given only one chance in life? That would be scary.

On the other hand, we are luckier as life always throws many opportunities our way. Although we failed, in general, our consequence is not death or anything as critical as that. At the same time, it always amazes me how many people take those opportunities for granted thinking that there will always be a next time.

Well, what if there is no next time?

What if this chance, here, right now is all you’ve got?

Maybe its time we start to look at life through the eyes of that little bird and seize each opportunity that comes our way like it was our last one. It could be a business opportunity, the dream job of a lifetime, or just simply to make a difference to somebody else’s day.

Imagine how much of our infinite potential we can develop if we give our all to do the things that we get to do?

Put it this way– If you know that you’re NOT ALLOWED to fail in your next goal or seizing the opportunity given, do you think that your result will be different?

I hope you’ll give it a deep thought because this might change your mindset forever.

If you like what you read, it’ll be cool if you can leave a Comment below. I’ll definitely appreciate it because I read every single Comment posted here personally.

You “Chan” Do It!

Patric Chan
Founder, You Chan Do It
Success Outcome System
www.ycdisuccessoutcome.com

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Comments

23 Responses to “Can You Imagine Only One Chance In Life?”

Seree W. December 11, 2007 at 11:11 am #

Hi Patric,

Thanks for sharing.

It always filling up my energy!

Cheers,
Raymond December 11, 2007 at 11:26 am #

Hi Patric,

I would choose to stay committed to what I do. I must end what I started and not leaving it halfway.

Perhaps I don’t have a better choice like the little bird but to try my very best as if it’s the first and last chance.
admin December 11, 2007 at 11:38 am #

Hi Seree and Raymond,

Give it your best shot because you “Chan” do it!

-Patric Chan

—
Ed C Anderson December 11, 2007 at 11:45 am #

Hi Patric,
Yes, I think we all believe that we have infinite chances. That makes it easy to not try our best. I’ll remember that as I approach my quest for success.
Thanks,
Ed Anderson
Bonnie Cranmer December 11, 2007 at 12:09 pm #

Patric, love your outlook! Everyday we get new chances to make a difference, in our own lives as well as other lives we touch, some for just a moment or some for a lifetime. Your success journey has led you so many new places and to so many new people. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn more from you with each post!

Wishing you more high flying adventures & offering much thanks!!!
Bonnie
Patie Tan December 11, 2007 at 12:32 pm #

Hi Patric,
Thank you for relating your experiences and motivating us by seeing how things are all connected if we truly want to see the connections.I admire your zest and your love for life and your success.
Wishing you more of the best things in life!
patie
Samuel Sim December 11, 2007 at 2:56 pm #

Hi Patric,

I fully agree with you and
it really has changed my perspective
towards achieving my goals in life.

I have been following you on the
stuff you teach for a while now, and
I must say you are one of a kind
when giving value like this to us.

Plus, we get all these for free.

I like it. Keep it up!

- Samuel Sim
Sarawak, Malaysia
Olubukunmi Ewedemi December 11, 2007 at 3:39 pm #

Hello Patric,

Thanks for these great inspirational articles, you are a gift to this generation.

I have been reading your articles with interest for a while and they have ALWAYS blessed and inspire me, i decided to leave a comment today because of the part in your article that goes thus:

“Put it this way– If you know that you’re NOT ALLOWED to fail in your next goal or seizing the opportunity given, do you think that your result will be different?”

I now see why i failed this year in my professional exam, even though i have a lot of excuse, heavy and vast scope of work to cover, difficult materials to digest, strict marking scheme, but the truth of the matter really is that at the back of my mind i know there will always be another chance.

So what am i going to do now? I am going to start preparing for next year’s (2008) exam knowing fully well that even though the exam is conducted every year…2008 IS MY ONLY CHANCE LEFT TO WRITE IT, AND I HAVE NO IOTA OF DOUBT THAT I AM PASSING THE EXAM.

Thanks Patric, this is the impetus i need to carry on all the way to success.
Suresh December 11, 2007 at 9:00 pm #

Hi Patric,
It’s funny you should share the story.I had had the same thoughts this morning.We only have one life and shouldn’t waste it.Life is an adventure and if we go with the mindset that we should maximize the opportunities we are thrown and not be afraid to take chances.
I love reading your coulmns and keep u the good work.

_Suresh
Penang
Stephen December 12, 2007 at 1:00 am #

It is a good guide for people… Thanks..for the educational story.

Hope it will help those who see this and pick up more courage.. and face..it very more confident
Zaman uddin Gazi December 12, 2007 at 1:41 am #

Hi Pactric

It is my pleasure to get mail from you each week. Keeping aside my daily job, I always put my full attention to read each word of your message. Each time I find new idea & I like your expression with a simple “word” or “issue” of your life and the conclusion thereafter against the happining.

Thanks for sharing to all for correction of our life style for better living.

-Zaman Gazi
Rossana December 12, 2007 at 7:30 pm #

Hi Patric, its so simple yet so profound. We are so loved that we get many chances in our live experiences, yet the river only flows once. It strike me, thinking for a moment that my next goal could not fail. That to me, means giving my 100% always, so as to be in peace with myself knowing I gave everything Ive got.
Thank you, its a refreshing outlook on my next goal.
Kanwar December 12, 2007 at 7:31 pm #

Hi Patric,

You are so right and your insight is certainly thought provoking. I take a lot of inspiration from your perspectives and gives me an inspired outlook on whatever I do. It makes you feel as if your life is dependent on your goals and you must stick to them like a fish is to water.

Happy Goal setting and achieving.

“Chan” can do it and so can “Kan”
naaz December 14, 2007 at 11:57 am #

m touched. literally i had tears in my eyes because i could relate to this one. i too have lost my only chance to make it in my life. now my dad is not convinced to finance me for my MBA studies because once before i had failed to clear an entrance exam. m quite depressed…
also tat makes me think wat if i would fail to clear this time too. that would bring sadness to everyone and guilt to me
Lawrence December 15, 2007 at 12:47 am #

Hi, Patric:

Great moving story and thanks for your sensitive observation and discribing it clearly. If we can give out all of our body, spirit, energy, … we could be able to catch much more opptunities in our life.

Lawrence
Zaman uddin Gazi December 19, 2007 at 1:04 am #

I have a question to you…..
What is the basic difference between “A Man” to “Other Man”.

Some of us may think I am poor…….He is rich.
I will say “NO”.

One is less educated….Other is much educated.
I should say “NO”.

One is Black……..Other is White.
I should say “NO”.

I am Asian………Other is American.
I must say “NO”.

One is small in size……..Other is tall.
I should say “NO”.

So what is the basic difference between “Man” to “Man”.

The answer is “Thought”.
The basic dirrerence is “Thinking Power”.

If I think I am rich…..Yes I am rich, and so on.

I am not a lecturer like you.You have the ability to explain this article much better than me.

Please explain in view of your perception.
Jimmy Linder December 23, 2007 at 2:32 pm #

Hi Patric,

Thank you for sharing these articles. Your knowledge and insight is very inspiring and uplifting and I hope you have a Wonderful Merry Christmas and a happy new year. =)
Robbie December 23, 2007 at 4:30 pm #

Hi Patric

Thanks for sharing your insights on life and congrats on your achievements. A wonderful Christmas and a successful new year to you and Emily.
Reba December 23, 2007 at 9:28 pm #

Hi Patric,

Thank you for all you for sharing so much with me this yera. It has not been a prosperous year for my husband and me. Your inspiring messages mean a lot. I look forward to a new and successful year in 2008,

Thank you for sharing with us. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year… Enjoy your new
condo. Continued success in 2008.
Emrick December 26, 2007 at 5:55 pm #

Hi Patric,
I like your articles full of useful information, energy, and motivation. Thanks for publishing them and sharing them with us. I will continue to keep an eye on your articles.
Blessings of Peace, Happiness , and Success to you!
Emrick
Raghavendra December 27, 2007 at 5:59 am #

Hi Patric

thanks for sharing your awesome life inspiring message.

thanks once again FOR YOUR GREAT ARTICLE.

Regards
Raghavendra
Dana December 27, 2007 at 10:42 am #

Hey Patric!
I too enjoyed reading your article. Everything you said is “oh so true”. We need more people like you in the world who really see things for what they are. I am really happy for you and your wife. I know it was a long journey. Your determination and positive attitude, I beleive, got you where you are today. If you could bottle that up and send it over here, I’d appreciate that!
Peace & Love To You % Family Dana Smith
jooper December 27, 2007 at 11:30 am #

hi patrick…im happy that your still doing things in favor of me…anyway im glad bout the ecourses…i hope you’ll continue to more peoples lives..

thank you and may God Bless u more success.
likewise im hoping that with your aide i’ll be able to hit my success too…

jooper