Only One Chance?

Living is full of twists and turns. All sorts of roads and paths will be traveled. Some dangerous and others very pleasant. At the end we always like to look back and see how far we've come. There is something joyful about looking down a hill after getting to the top. One wipes the proverbial sweat from their face in satisfaction. You made it. They made it. Whatever it was the obstacle was overcome.

What about the others? Not everyone makes it. That can't make any sense. This is life not a tee-ball game! We need winners and losers! You can't take that away. If people take that away the foundation of human existence might disappear! Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

I like to believe that we live in a society that always offers people a second chance. We are only human. In fact, if we didn't make mistakes I may just question, and come to the conclusion that there is something wrong with a person who doesn't err. What if though, there was really only one chance in life. Brutal to think about isn't it? Even worse, what if it had been already given to you? That isn't fun at all to think about. Or is it?

We have joyous occasions and festivities to celebrate one's achievements. Have you ever felt the prick of jealousy's little needle? Surely, it stings but only until the great ones fall. Then our vanity and pride can be restored and the world put back in place. What if you accepted that fact that your chance had came and went and you missed it like the train that led up-town? Would you wait for another or run to a different station?

Could a person be content with mediocrity? Perhaps, although would they show it? I believe in bitterness if only given one chance. But wait, an epithet! “Life isn't fair.” That seems to work... sometimes. Some people may never even get a chance. Oh, how they are pitied. Especially by those who were given two. Who hands out these chances anyway? I don't really care for their “distribution expertise.” “You had better be happy with the one I gave you.” It is as if you should feel blessed to have that one chance! Your entitlement rests solely on luck... the luck, you of course, created.

Still most of us fall at one time or another. Sometimes a hand reaches out from the light, or darkness casts it shadowy veil. Not much choice but to dust yourself off and keep going. At least faith and hope can fool us into believing we will get a second chance. Or that same bit of faith will help offer another. Just remember to think—as the dust begins to clear—what knocked you down in the first place.