Hitting the Unknown

Embracing Risk, Failure, and Discovery

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

This iconic quote, often attributed to Michael Jordan but originally spoken by Wayne Gretzky, transcends sports arenas. It encapsulates the essence of life, urging us to step out of our comfort zones, take chances, and embrace both success and failure. In this blog post, we’ll delve deeper into the layers of meaning behind this powerful statement.

1. Taking Shots and Hitting Targets

Taking a shot, whether it’s aiming for a goal, pursuing a dream, or making a life-changing decision requires courage. But why is it better to take that shot, even if we might miss the mark?

• Opportunity Awaits: When we take a shot, we open ourselves up to opportunities. We create a chance to hit our target, achieve our goals, and experience growth.
• True Failure: Not attempting something can indeed be considered a true failure. By staying on the sidelines, we miss out on the potential rewards that come from trying.

2. Embracing Failure and Unknown Potential

Failure is not the end; it’s a stepping stone.

• Unknown Potential: By missing more shots than we make, we expose ourselves to our unknown potential. Each attempt teaches us something new, whether it leads to success or not.
• Human Resilience: When we fail miserably and fall far from hitting our intended target, we shouldn’t be discouraged. Our humanity lies in our willingness to keep trying, to learn, and to adapt.

3. Celebrating Success and Sacrifice

Hitting the bullseye is cause for celebration, but let’s also recognize the sacrifices:

• Intentional Sacrifice: When we hit our intended target, we’ve intentionally sacrificed other possibilities. We’ve chosen one path over countless others.
• Hitting the Unknown: Sometimes missing our original target leads to extraordinary discoveries. It’s progress in practice. Think of it as hitting an unknown bullseye, a different kind of success.

4. Columbus

Christopher Columbus, the intrepid explorer, serves as a remarkable case study:

• The Great Miss: Columbus missed his intended target, the East Indies, by a staggering 8,880 miles! Few misses in history compare.
• The New World: But by taking the shot and hitting an unknown land, the Americas, he discovered a whole new world. His “miss” led to one of history’s greatest successes.

Conclusion: Keep Aiming, Keep Smiling

Life is a series of shots, some hit, some miss. So, keep aiming your arrows, whether they’re literal or metaphorical. Smile at each attempt, celebrate your successes, and honor the sacrifices you’ve made. And remember, hitting the unknown can lead to the most extraordinary adventures.

“Hitting the 🕳️unknown means you missed your target and sacrificed your 🏹arrow. Hitting your 🎯target means you chose to sacrifice and missed the unknown.” 

What shots are you taking today? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

🌴Forage & ⚒️Forge,

Squire,
Bentley