Missed opportunities

How many opportunities are missed simply because we fail to prepare.

Case in point.  I went out for lunch today, in the mood for a good meal.  I headed over to my favorite Italian restaurant.  Since I'm known there, I was greeted by one of the owning family members.  When she asked for my drink order, I told her I wanted a glass of fine red wine.  Here is where the opportunity could have been missed.  She told me what wines she had, but could not tell me anything about the three Chianti's she had.  The only thing should could say was that one was really good.  Of course, that was the most expensive.  Now, if she had only been better prepared, she could have sold me on the robust flavor, light tannins, subtle spice notes, and perfect aging of that most expensive wine.  Chances are, most people wouldn't know the difference and would take her word for it.

As it turns out, I know a little about wine, and I recognized the names of the choices, and yes, the most expensive was the highest quality too (which is not always the case).  It was an excellent Chianti Supremo, but my point is that she could have missed the opportunity.  This time she didn't, no thanks to her preparation. 

This event reminds me that we should always be prepared for the opportunities around us and equip ourselves with abundant knowledge so that we don't miss out on the good luck waiting in front of us.

Mark