A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to hear my friend, Mary Pal make a presentation to a guild I belonged to, QuiltCo in Ottawa, Ontario. I believe that the topic was inspiration but I must say that what I remember about her presentation was when she briefly mentioned ‘seizing opportunities’. At that time I remembered a quote, “When opportunity knocks…answer! It may not knock again!”. This is now a motto I try to live by, especially when it comes to quilting.

I cannot remember all the times what first appeared to me as crises turned out to be “opportunities” in the end. You know those times: it’s midnight but you need to keep going to get that quilt done so it can be delivered in time for a show. Or, trying a new block then getting a chance to teach it to others, the unexpected invite to do a Trunk show… All of these were opportunities seized. Some took all my energies and others took courage. Some took both.

For example, I recall the first trunk show I was asked to do. Nervous, I asked how many people would be at the trunk show. The answer was: normally 40 – 50. Up until then, I was used to teaching computer based training to up to 12 people at a time, but this was going to be four times as many people. I had not yet accepted and my nerves were already working overtime. Trunk Show night arrived, I arrived at the guild meeting for the trunk show, the guild members began to arrive. First there were ten, then twenty, then thirty. Finally, more than 70 guild members showed up.

Long story short: I survived. That first golden opportunity led to another trunk show and another and I have now done five trunk shows with dates for three more!

I can relay similar stories for teaching, for commission quilts and now for guest blogging on QUILTsocial.com! Having lived, and still living, opportunities is wonderfully affirming. I find it amazing how simply saying: “yes” to that first trunk show has opened so many additional doors.

Though we all have too many things to do in our lives than there is time, we need to make the choice to seize opportunities as they appear. We can all do with a few minutes less of sleep (drink more coffee).

One last perk. Because of actively seizing opportunities in my life, I travel more and because of traveling more I get new inspirations for more quilts. It’s a win, win, win cycle!

So remember the mantra: “When opportunity knocks…answer! It may not knock again!” unless of course it’s someone trying to sell you a vacuum cleaner.

Join me tomorrow, I’ll talk about the new quilter.