An optimistic parent or high school teacher may sometimes exclaim, "Life's difficulties may be used either as stumbling blocks or stepping stones." In other words, opportunities can be exploited provided one has the right attitude and assertiveness. Is such an outlook representative of a rugged individualist determined to succeed in life, or a naive romantic unaware of genuine hardship? While impossible to control all factors in such an assessment, the former thankfully appears true.
Successful people (those satisfied with their accomplishments) tend to believe in the "stepping stones" proverb. Very often, they have erred and come up short numerous times in their striving, only to succeed after repeated efforts. They realized opportunities abound, and that those who seize opportunities succeed.
On the other hand, unsuccessful people often blame their failures on lack of opportunity. They claim that successful people have merely been lucky or blessed with advantages. They refuse to understand that many successful people were originally less privileged than they. Consider Frederick Douglas, a slave-turned statesman, or Deng Xiaoping, who fell from favor before regaining status.
Considering such examples, it is easy to conclude that opportunities abound for those aware and willing to take advantage of them. Those who deny this usually lack initiative. Optimism for opportunity is the forerunner of success.