Taking chances

November 7, 2024

Mark Twain once said, “Necessity is the mother of taking chances.”

How right he was...

Sometimes it may seem every time you get up on your feet, life knocks you back down. The bills keep coming... your body keeps aching... and those you trust keep lying. Yet, necessity mandates you roll out of bed, shake it off, and keep going.

Mark Twain also said, “If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.”

Now, anyone who knows me knows I literally hate frogs. They scare me to death. Yet, this metaphor makes sense. It’s best to tackle the worse right off the bat and get it over with. Then you can concentrate on making it through the day... with your head held high.

What am I talking about? Life. Those hours which make up a day... days which make a week... weeks which make a month... months which make a year. Before you know it, we will look back and ask “where did the time go.”

Personally, I’m not worried about the wasted days. I’m just worried about looking in the mirror and in the eyes of God at the end of the journey. Will I be proud of the chances I took or ashamed of the way I handled the trials?

You see, it’s not about what others do to you or what they say about you. It’s not even about your hurt feelings or broken heart. It’s about how you handled it all. Did you keep your pride in check and were you true to yourself? Through the tears, could you smile toward Heaven and know you did the right thing?

“What a wee little part of a person's life are his acts and his words! His real life is led in his head, and is known to none but himself.” – Mark Twain

“Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.” – Mark Twain

Shall we take his advice? Shall we be the creator of our own destiny? Shall we stand on our own two feet, with our head high, and our heart made light by the truth.

Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.