Have you ever found yourself standing at the edge of an almost cliff-like decision, not yet willing to take a first step? I have throughout my life. Those kinds of decisions can be terrifying, wondering if and when you’ll manage to take that step off. However, even if they are scary, it’s important to learn just how necessary it can be to take that final step away. No matter how terrifying your decisions can feel, it’s important to overcome them to be able to pursue the future and dreams you want.

      Imagine a scene of pure calm, soft snow covered hills outlying a small town. Every house was decorated with a display of lights, blinking down on me and my friends. At that time, I was visiting my relatives for Christmas. The sharp sting of cold didn’t even bother me through all of my layers of clothing wrapped snugly around me, engulfing me in a constant warmth. The only thing the cold truly did was offer soft, powdery snowflakes sent to drift down at a steady rate. I was surrounded by an enchanting winter scene, and absolutely nothing could go wrong. Until, of course, it did. 

     One of these friends, Steven, was about eight years old, my sister's age. He was behind me in our line to sled. As the movement in the line progressed, yet another one of my friends climbed back up the hill. I could almost feel the excitement at the tip of my tongue. I patiently waited at the top of the hill, first in line, to have my turn. Finally, it was my time. I scooted forward in a not very elegant way, gliding down the hill in a flurry of snowflakes. It really was perfect. Basking in my glory as my sled came to a halt, I held myself tall before promptly deflating at the sight of the hill. Climbing up is hard, especially as a young child. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Steven mounting his sled, and I felt a surge of panic begin to spread throughout me. Would my mom stop him? I turned over to see my mom looking off in a different direction, blissfully unaware of my situation. I searched for some kind of exit, but there was no escape.

     Going up the hill was impossible. I was faced with a difficult decision. What could I even do? So, in an act of desperation, I raced towards a nearby tree that seemed out of harm's way, crouching safely behind it. “Safely” was not accurate, as this path was one that sleds would soon crash into. I closed my eyes and gripped the tree as if that would somehow deter Steven. In my mind I was still assuming I was safe from harm’s way, angled perfectly away from the route. I glimpsed Steven push off, wearing his usual giddy smile, closer, closer, closer-

     BOOM!

     My attempt to avoid Steven, absolutely, in every possible way, failed. Chaos erupted on the hill. I sat in shock, tears streaming down my face, unable to feel them. The blow barely registered inside my mind. It was only until I saw drops of crimson blood falling to the pristine snow and utterly staining it from below me that I began to panic. I could see Steven’s face; he looked like he was upset, crying, too, more than me. I decided he was dramatic. From my peripheral vision I saw both my mom and my friend’s mom running toward me. More confused than anything, I raised a hand to my face and finally felt the sear of pain slashing through my lower lip. Just my lower lip. The pain was delayed, allowing me to have a moment of disappointing silence and stillness, though I was at least able to comprehend what had happened in that moment; the sled had sliced through my lip but nowhere else. A surge of gratefulness for the situation presented itself to me, and I let that gratefulness surround and lead me to a slumber as I began to sink deeper in the snow.

     I sat up in a state of dreariness. Due to the amount of people now gathered around me, I inferred not long had passed since the hit, as my desired first-aid kit was also nowhere to be seen, so I laid there, unfocused but quite bothered. I caught wind of the moms bursting out of the house door on their way with the first aid kit. Everyone else continued to panic and scramble to get a first aid kit, and I just sat there, simmering in the disarray. I realized something, something truly fascinating; I realized everything, every instance leading to my current state, could have been avoided if I had just simply gone up the hill instead of giving up and resorting to what I had established, second best.

     I know this memory in particular left a mark in my current mindset, and I have to often remind myself to not let opportunities slip, out of fear or apprehension, but to take them. The story and memory I have presented is a perfect example of why you should do so as well. If I did not make my way back up that hill in time when I had the chance, I would have gotten hit by a sled. This still actually impacts me today, yes, in a notably good way (I have immaculate lips because of this exact incident). If the sled had shifted even slightly the whole situation could have turned out very differently.

     “You miss 100% of the opportunities you don’t take.” This quote has been used by multiple famous idols and celebrities, including Wayne Gretzky, Doja Cat, and Kim Kardashian. This quote practically traces the outline for the bigger lesson of opportunity; hence, when opportunity strikes, do not hesitate to take it. This simple prospect can be used throughout life. When an opportunity, big or small, is presented to you, it is important to utilize it. 

-Asha S.