Take the Opportunity When It Arises

I think one of most difficult parts of living in the modern world is recognising when you have a good opportunity, grasping it tightly and then acting upon it. 

We are constantly bombarded with opportunities, aren't we? These include retraining courses, job offers, things that are too good to be true. Recognising a true opportunity requires wisdom - enough to be able to distinguish between a shiny distraction and a genuine open door.

We often use the old aphorism seize the day to summarise what we should do. it's a translation, of course, coming from the Roman poet Horace, where the Latin phrase is carpe diem. However, the Latin verb carpere translates closer to 'pluck' or 'gather' (like picking a ripe fruit or flower), rather than an aggressive physical seizure.

Horace's complete phrase is in fact carpe diem quam minimum credula postero, which translates to 'pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one'.

Here's a couple of Bible verses to reinforce this:

Ephesians 5:15–16 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.