The Window Of Opportunity

It was Monday morning and I was still sleeping when I heard a beep, beep, beep sound in my head. I hit the stop button of the alarm, which kept making so much noise; then, stood up sluggishly and went straight to my music player. I turned on one of my favorite songs and increased the volume. I stepped into the bathroom to brush my teeth and have a shower while moving my body to the rhythm of the music. After a shower, I got dressed and went to the kitchen to make toast bread and hot coffee. I took it to my dining table and started eating while sipping my coffee. Suddenly, my telephone started ringing. I dropped the toasted bread and moved closer to identify the person calling. It was my boss, Mr. James. I answered: “Hello,” he responded with: “Hi,” and then went straight to the reason for his call. He said: “There is an order from our headquarters that our Radio and TV station need to start a TV program titled SECOND CHANCE. You must be the host of the program because you are very good at motivation & inspiration, and they think you can handle it.” I replied: “Who, me?” He said: “Yes, you, and for your information, you have to start the program this week; and failure can lead to something bad. Do you know how strict our management is? I replied: “Yes, I know, and I will get back to you when I get to the office.” I hung up the phone. I could not continue with my toast bread because I was not happy with the news, so I just finished my coffee. Although the news was basically good, I was camera shy and I had always been afraid of what the public would comment about me. If they are not satisfied with my presentation they would be able to identify me easily on the street and confront me in some way.

I picked up my jacket and car keys and got out of the house. I locked the door and entered my car feeling sad and worried. While I was driving, I was thinking about how I was going to face the camera because I didn’t want a bad image. When I got to the office building, I went straight to Mr. James’ office to ask him why I was chosen for the program. I knocked on his door and I heard him saying: “Come in!” I entered and asked the question in my head immediately: “Boss, why did they pick me for the TV program?” He replied: “You are selected by them because the program has not been going well. It doesn’t have enough viewers, so they want to change the team organizing it. During the meeting they held in the headquarters, on which I was presented, too, they decided that our team should take it. They need a new face. Someone, who is good in radio motivation & inspiration broadcasting, and can take it. You are the only person good in it. I know you are camera shy but, trust me, you can do it. Don’t worry, the public is going to like you and won’t confront you in any way. Just give it a try! Trust me, it’s going to be OK. I said: “OK,” and asked him to provide me with more information about the program. Before he gave it to me, he said: “You have to sign this document and the program will take place in a week, on Friday, from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm.” I said: “OK,” signed the document, and then took the file containing all the information.

I got out of his office and entered my own. I checked the document and read everything inside. Later, I prepared myself for the presentation that was to take place the next day. I wrote down everything that came to my mind that I could write about. Then, I went online to check some motivation & inspirational quotes having to do with the SECOND CHANCE.

On Tuesday evening, I dressed up properly and entered the office building a few minutes before the start of the program. I went to the broadcasting room immediately. I saw my boss, Mr. James, and the team and went straight to Mr. James. He said: “Best of luck! Trust me, it’s going to be ok.” I just replied: “OK, thanks.” I moved to the main broadcasting room and the next thing I heard was if I was ready. I nodded in a positive way and then heard: “Camera” and “Action.”

I started with my normal way of introducing myself. I said: “Good evening, my name is Mercy Wealthy, Sky TV & Radio Mr. Warmer. Take your coats off and stay with me because I am going to keep you warm tonight, more than you expect. Welcome to the SECOND CHANCE!

In this program, we are going to talk about the SECOND CHANCE, which alternatively means a second try, and how to give it?”

(I took a deep breath and went on.)

Are you a person trying to succeed on a project but you are about to give up because it’s not working out?

Are you somebody finding it difficult to have true love and now you have already given up because you always fall into the wrong relationship?

Are you somebody who is having difficulty in moving to the next level in life and you have given up because it seems too impossible for you?

Are you somebody who was involved in an activity but you stop all of a sudden because of a negative result?

Well, you should not have quit or you shouldn’t quit. You need to keep trying because life is all about giving a second chance in every aspect. We are often allowed to re-do some things without even knowing. Every moment of your life is a second chance, and every time we go to sleep and wake up soundly is a second chance that the world itself gives us to re-do what we need to re-do. But most of us can’t recognize the opportunity we are given each and every day because we think we can’t handle it. We are provided with 24 hours per day, then why are you tired? Why are you giving up or why have you given up? Is it just because you failed once or maybe a little more? But you still have 760 hours in a year! You still have hope, then why don’t you give it a second chance.

We are human beings and we are not perfect. We make mistakes, fail, but also win. Still being a winner is only for those who keep on trying.

Thomas Edison did not succeed with the light bulb in just 24 hours (a day). He was only able to make it after many 24 hours (many days), which the world gave him together with the opportunity to change world history. He tried making for it 1,000 times in many 24 hours (many days) before he finally succeeded in just one 24 hours (a day). You can also make it! All you need to do is just keep trying, and trying, and in one 24 hours (a day) you will make it.

Thomas Edison said: "Opportunity (time (24 hours)) is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work”.

Dave Wilson said: “Sometimes life gives you a second chance, or even two! Not always but sometimes. It’s what you do with those second chances that count”.

You are always given a second chance but it is your choice to make a difference or remain where you are and end up blaming yourself when it’s too late and nothing can be done anymore.

“Hmm, stay with us and we will be right back shortly,” then I stopped.

My boss, Mr. James, came inside the main broadcast room with an iPad to show me the number of viewers and their comments on our platform. He said: “I told you, you can do it, take a look at this, this is the highest number of viewers the program is having since it has been created and you made it in just a few minutes. And how many viewers will it get if you keep on?” I kept quiet and he said: “Keep it up!” I replied: Thank you, sir!” I was told in a few minutes that I had to get back to set, so I took my table water, drank from me,t and took my place.

I heard again: “Camera, rolling, action.”

I started: “Welcome back to SECOND CHANCE, brought to you by Sky TV and Radio station. I am still Mr. Mercy Wealthy, the warmer man on the TV.

I am going to open the air now for those who want to ask one question or even more based on a second chance. You can call in or text a message to this number *****. Ask your question, or tell us what you have given up on and now you want to give a second chance but you need motivation. Or tell us what you need to give a second chance but you don't want to. Now, it is your turn,” and I stopped.

Immediately, there was someone calling. I said: “Hello! Who is there and where are you calling from?” The reply was: “I am William, calling from California.” I replied: “OK, how can we help you?” William said: “I need motivation. I have a dream of becoming a popular musician and I have been doing everything I am capable of in the music industry for years now, but I am always discouraged by so many people. Some producers would say this and that; they all keep giving excuses that are discouraging me. I have taken part in a particular music talent show several times but I kept getting rejected. This year, I want to try again but due to all the discouragement, I have not been able to write any music that I can present. I feel like I am going to fail again.” I kept saying ok till he finished talking and then I told him: “Could you please sing an acapella song?” He did it and his voice was ok. Then, I replied: “Your voice is ok and so is your song. It passes a clean and clear message. Never give up and keep trying. Trying to build up your dream is like trying to build a house. You can't do it in a day, but it takes time. Step by step everything will happen. The most important for reaching your dream is its foundation. The people discouraging you are only surprised by the kind of foundation you are building, and they are reacting negatively just to make you stop. But one day, when you successfully complete building it, they will be surprised. You have to keep trying and trying, giving it a second chance, just like the world is giving you a second chance to re-do. Trust me, one day, your story will change and you will be successful,” he replied: “Thank you,” and I said: "It’s OK.” (call ended)

While I was speaking to him, I received many messages but the director displayed only the important ones. The others were just praise about me and the program. After reading out a new message so that I can advise the person, I said: “The message reads: ‘Hello, my name is Jennifer from Texas. I went to two exams in a year to get admission into two different universities, but I could not make it and I have given up because I don't want to try and fail again.” I replied: “Jennifer, sometimes things that happen to us happen for a reason, which is not always really clear to us. Only nature itself knows why. Failing doesn't mean you are not brilliant. Failing again doesn't mean you're not trying your best, but it just nature. It plays a major role in every human’s life, sometimes just to test us and see if we can survive and defeat it. You have to fight and defeat nature, you have to keep trying, the road to success is narrow and that is why it is not easy.

Failing or losing is not the end of the game but it is the beginning because it teaches us one or two lessons, which can actually lead us to victory.

Denis Waitley said: “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is a delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” 

Anonymous said: “Failure does not mean you are not brilliant but failure is an academic accident that cannot be predicted but it happens.”

So, Miss Jenifer, give yourself a second chance with the exam, this time the result is going to be good.”

I received another call and before I picked it up my director said through the earpiece: “That is the last call for today.“ I said: “Hello, who is there and where are you calling from?” He replied: “I am Mr. Robert and am calling from Florida”, I replied: “What can I do for you,” he said: “I am been having difficulties in finding true love because of my last girlfriend whom I dated for years. I thought she loved me just like I loved her, but she left me when I had a financial problem. She said she can’t date a poor man and since then, I can’t say I have really been in any relationship. I don’t want somebody who loves me for what I have but for who I am. I want somebody who truly loves me and that’s why I have not given dating a second chance,” I replied: “Hmm, you don’t have to give up because a lady broke your heart once because of your present situation. You can still find somebody that will love you for who you are and not for what you have. Everybody out there doesn’t have the same character, we are all different, we have a different mentality, different ways of thinking, and so on. You can still find somebody who will love you truly but it may be partially hard keeping in mind your riches. What you have to do is just give your riches to a trusted employee of yours and go on a long vacation. Go somewhere where you are not known by everybody. Start a new life and pretend to be poor. In that situation, try to find somebody to date and if you do it successfully, then, you are almost through with your vacation. Give the lady a simple test and see if she passes. If she does, then show her your real self, and now, your vacation is over and you can go back to business with someone you love and who loves you too.” He replied: “Thank you for your advice, I will try it out.” (call ended).

After speaking with the man, I rounded up saying: “Hmm, for what are you using your 24-hour chance the world is giving you each morning? Are you using your second chance to re-do what you need to re-do, or you are just wasting your chance? Ask yourself those questions and, before I forget, if you are a businessman and you are afraid to give a particular deal a try, try and do it because it can be successful. Life is all about taking a risk and facing your challenge, face the challenge you have been having! Remember, every day we still wake up in this world is a chance to change history, to re-do what you need to re-do, or give a second chance to what you need to give a second chance. This is the end of today’s SECOND CHANCE program. If you still want to speak to me or need my advice, just send a text message to ****. I will surely reply. Thank you for staying with us tonight! Watch out for the SECOND CHANCE program next Friday. I’m Mr. Mercy Wealthy one more time and good night and sweet dreams. Bye.”

As I ended the program and I went out of the main broadcasting room, my boss and the rest of the team were applauding me. My boss said: “You did an excellent job up there and our viewers are much more than expected. Before you even finished, I received a call from the Big boss. He said you have been promoted and you should come to the headquarters before next Friday.“ I replied: “Thank you, everybody, and thank you, Mr. James.”

That was how I became a popular TV motivational & inspirational speaker and to date, I am still doing my best and I am no longer camera-shy, all because of Mr. James.