Seize opportunities, don’t be lazy

A SCHOOLTEACHER stood in front of his class, holding a R50 note and asked: “Who wants this R50?” The whole class raised their hands.

One pupil stood up at the back of the class, walked straight to the teacher and accepted the R50 note, as the other pupils looked on.

He went back to his seat R50 richer, much to the amusement of the other pupils.

What does this scenario teach us? It teaches us that we live in a world of ambitious people who are good at identifying their needs and dreams but too lazy to explore them.

The pupil who rose from the seat at the back of the class is an example of the few go-getters who not only raise their hands but act and work hard to realise their dreams.

Instead of watching the teacher, the pupil stood up and grabbed the R50 opportunity while the other pupils were still waiting for the teacher to decide who to give it to.

The teacher can be likened to life, which gives us opportunities every day but we fail to grab them with both hands.

South Africa is blessed with natural resources that can be transformed into money-mak- ing activities. We do not have to wait for opportunities to knock on our doors; we must work towards exploring opportunities and achieve success.

Let us not be like those pupils who raised their hands, instead of standing up to collect the R50 note.

In this life, where poverty is the greatest hunter, let us challenge ourselves and do something to earn a living.

Life is not a playground but a battlefield.

We must work hard to attain success.

Mpumalanga