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Learn To Recognize Opportunities That Are Right Before Your Eyes

Editorial by Robert Kirwan

  

One of my favourite stories of all time demonstrates our inability to recognize opportunity when it is right under our eyes. I know you will see the humour in this story, but I also hope you get the message.

The Mississippi River was flooding its banks and the waters were rising around Clem’s house. The waters had gotten to the level of the front porch where Clem was standing. A man in a rowboat came by and called to Clem, "Hop in and I’ll take you to high ground."

Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"

The river continued to rise to the second story windows and Clem, looking out, saw a powerboat come up. The man in the powerboat called to Clem, "Hop in and I’ll take you to high ground."

Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"

The river had now risen to the roof of the house. Clem was sitting on the ridge at the top of the house, with the waters swirling around his feet. He saw a helicopter fly over and the people inside yelled over a bull horn, "Grab the rope and climb in and we’ll take you to high ground."

Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"

The river continued to rise and finally it engulfed the house and Clem was drowned. The next thing he knew, Clem was standing before his God. In anger, he asked God, "I put my trust in you. Why have you forsake me?"

And his God replied, "What more do you want from me? I sent you a rowboat, a powerboat and a helicopter!"

 
 

The Private Practice of
Robert Kirwan, OCT., B.A. (Math), M.A. (Education)
Independent Education, Training & Career Development Consultant