Am I lucky, or am I blessed? That was a great question to ask because every life’s disappointment that I’ve encountered has turned into something more exciting and meaningful than I ever expected.
The saying that “when one door closes, another one opens” is real, and I’ve seen it so many times in my life. I’m a true believer in the attitude that what is meant for you will always be yours. Nobody can take these blessings away from you.
In May 2017, I decided I wanted to become my own boss. I was exhausted by the mistreatment some black women faced in the workplace with the lack of opportunities, promotions, and advancement.
All I had going for me was my excellent work ethic, which turned out to be not sufficient to land any promotions.
Being a brave, unapologetic woman, I decided to create my own opportunity by buying a business. This newest obsession had me up at 3:00 am every day searching the internet, looking for local businesses for sale.
After months of searching, I found an HVAC company. A purchase agreement was negotiated, but at the last minute, the deal fell through. Frustrated and defeated, I went back to my 3:00 am morning internet searches.
“I felt proud for being chosen to appear on the show, but most of all, I felt a sense of gratitude.”
As fate would have it, I came across a casting call on Craigslist. The casting call was for persons within the Greater Toronto Area looking to purchase a business, so I applied. The show was entitled Under New Management and scheduled to air on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). A few days later, I received a call from a producer, and after an audition, I was invited on the show.
On a hot summer day in August 2017, my quiet little street was invaded by trailers, producers, directors, and an entire television crew. My house was beaming with lights, cameras and I was ready to make my debut like a big reality star.
I spent the next week being followed by a television crew, looking at three businesses for sale. A few months later, Under New Management aired on CBC. Being on national television was everything I thought it would be, exciting, rewarding, and a sense of accomplishment.
I felt proud for being chosen to appear on the show, but most of all, I felt a sense of gratitude. I understood at that moment how lucky I was to have gotten an opportunity of a lifetime. Few people ever get such a chance, and this experience changed my life.
Sometimes we get so caught up with disappointments, failures, defeats, and misfortunes. We forget that life is filled with so many uncertainties but also beautiful moments.
You might have to weather some horrific storms before the appearance of your rainbow. Be optimistic in the fact that every disappointment is the universe’s way of preparing you for something bigger and better. Remember, your best success comes after your biggest disappointment.