Author: Scott Taylor

Risky Decisions
“ There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only scarcity of resolve to make it happen. ” 
 
Wayne Dyer  

From a distant view, The City of Opportunity is a breathtaking wonder. Never have eyes beheld such a glorious panorama of beauty, innovation and artistic marvel. An entire city filled with such splendor as to cause the casual observer to wonder if he had passed through time to an era of innovation yet to be invented. „This couldn‟t be real… it must be a façade‟, is the common thought of most first-time onlookers. As one enters the city, the bewilderment intensifies as the novice visitor realizes it is genuine. How could such a place exist? The humility, caring and fellowship of a tiny hamlet, yet filled with the success and grandeur of an empire; an astounding feat to bestow upon an entire city. Imagine, if you will, a city with no poverty, no crime, no moaners or complainers, no welfare and, most importantly, no unemployment. 
No longer will you find a published issue of any success magazine without mention of this magnificent city and the recent developments of Mr. U. R. Lucky‟s industries. Scores of books are written annually trying to define the phenomenon called The City of Opportunity. Not only does beauty and elegance thrive here but the people are humble, caring and happy. Surely this magnitude of prosperity must accompany some level of pride, ego or arrogance. Though many have tried to find it, never has any such attitude been observed through the countless thousands of reporter interviews taken with even the lowliest of its inhabitants. The exhausted efforts of one reporter, trying to find some „dirt‟ on this beloved city, left him to surrender his objective and state, “I can find no fault. The City of Opportunity is not just a place to live; it‟s a way of living. It‟s a way of living completely.” 
When Recko heard about The City of Opportunity, feelings of hope, joy and excitement combined to fill his heart with an overwhelming verve to give up all he had to live there. Imagine a city where everyone was abounding in happiness as well as wealth. Maybe it was all a load of folklore, a fantasy spun by the dreamers of flamboyant whims. Surely, the stories must be embellished for how could an entire city be fettered into living in an existence so 
foreign to the rest of the world? Recko was determined to find out if such a sanctuary could actually exist. 
Recko, living in the metropolis of “Material City” could no longer abide this dreary hapless abyss, where the desires of the people focused on money and esteem, and their hearts were cold and their friendships pretentious. They liked showing off their certificates of achievement, expensive cars, big houses, and all their lavish toys, but joy was elusive and happiness ill defined. The streets were grimy and the walls littered with graffiti. Business competition was dog eat dog, and a little deception was justified for, as they would say, “how else would you get a customer to do business with you?” Anything that would yield a small profit or save a few pennies was the focus of their attention. Material City was a mecca for great wealth but also a place of great loneliness, and Recko was becoming weary of it all. 
Recko tried his hand at several ventures but found little to no success. Yes, he always made enough to get by and pay his bills, but for one so talented and honest as Recko, it seemed preposterous that he should spend his days simply getting by, when a world of abundance lay before him. 
Recko heard that The City of Opportunity, once known as Dilemmaville, was transformed from a small indigent 
town to the thriving empire it is today, by adhering to a new philosophy taught by Mr. U. R. Lucky. It is a code of conduct where success and happiness are the obvious outcome when the synergistic efforts of an entire community are combined to create wealth for each individual.  
Recko, decided to read the books written by Mr. Lucky, to discover the nature of his philosophy and whether it was even plausible. Each book not only gave Recko insights into a new way of thinking and dealing with problems, they opened an entirely new vision for him. He realized new potential; he saw a life of wealth, but also the prospect of a pervading happiness. Recko, filled with the romantic fantasy of living a life of joy, reminiscent of the people in that city, excitedly told his wife, Lana, about his dream of moving to The City of Opportunity.  
“That sounds like a wonderful place to live Recko, but what about our family and friends?” asked Lana.  
“Our friends… what friends?” said Recko with a look of despair. “All our supposed friends only come over to talk about themselves and show off their new gadgets. When was the last time any of them came over just to play a few games or talk without bragging?”  
Lana then asked, “But how do you know it will be any different in The City of Opportunity?”  
After a moment of pondering Recko admitted, “I don‟t know for sure, but what I do know is we will never have the chance to experience life like that if we remain in this city of selfishness, deceit and pretense.”  
“But, how will we ever afford such a move?” asked Lana.  
Recko was quick to respond, “Sell the house, our boat, the jewelry, the extra truck…”  
Lana interjected, “What! Sell everything we‟ve been working for all our lives?”  
Recko looked into her eyes and paused, he then glanced aside with a look of disappointment. He was feeling a little disgusted over Lana‟s apparent desire for the goods of Material City, and said, “Lana, what have we got… really? We have a boat that has not been on the water in three years. We have an expensive house we only sleep in because all our time is spent making money. The jewelry is all for show and the truck was bought to pull the boat. What a waste. Think about it, are we truly happy? We have a few things but we have no time to enjoy them. It‟s said that the people of The City of Opportunity have found a way to be wealthy, and enjoy life. That‟s what I want for our family.”  
They stood there in silence looking at each other. Recko was hoping Lana would understand his feelings, but Lana‟s head was in a whirl of confusion. Every question seemed to create another question in Lana‟s mind. Recko noticed Lana‟s eyes darting back and forth as she tried to gather her thoughts. Without saying another word, Recko moved to the kitchen table to read a newspaper, realizing Lana would need some time to consider what he was asking.  
Oh, the pressure suddenly ladened upon Lana‟s shoulders. She knew her husband was very unhappy and had his mind set on moving, but what about her feelings? She was fearful of losing all they owned on a gamble that could leave them broke and homeless. They would be away from the security of their family and friends and they had no prospect for work. They knew virtually nothing about what they may be getting themselves into and they were basing this entire upheaval of their lives on a dream they hoped, would materialize.  
“What is he asking me to do?” she thought to herself. “Doesn‟t he see what a mistake we could be making? Why would he ask me to take such an inordinate risk?” With this final thought, she looked at him sitting there, gazing at the newspaper but not actually reading. He was obviously 
disenchanted over the prospects of remaining in their current state of affairs.  
Then, she received an epiphany. She realized Recko was not simply trying to live a dream, but he had a vision that could give them an opportunity to create a fulfilling and rewarding life. Suddenly, a feeling of deep compassionate love overcame her and like the force of a rushing river against a dam of leaves, she could not contain her emotions as she walked up behind Recko and gave him an adoring embrace then whispered in his ear, “I want to live your dream.” 
At first Recko was bewildered over Lana‟s actions, as she had never approached him in such a manner over the span of their entire relationship. However, when Recko turned and notice the glassy eyes and deep sense of love that radiated in Lana‟s face, he realized she must have somehow grasped his vision. As he beheld a single tear roll down her face, Recko welled up with a deep sense of love and joy over the prospects of a new and meaningful life with Lana.  
They were each amazed at how such an awe-inspiring bond of love could be generated over a complicated and fearful decision. Nevertheless, Recko‟s dream became their 
dream and they began the task of selling their possessions to make their way to The City of Opportunity.