We often shy away from new experiences out of fear, ignorance, or a desire to stick with what’s familiar and safe. In our daily lives, we gravitate toward the norm—what our friends and family deem acceptable. But sometimes, we need to take a chance and grab an opportunity before it slips away forever.

Why does taking a chance matter? Because life is full of regrets—missed opportunities, choices not made, paths not taken. Like many, I’ve had moments where I let a great possibility pass me by, only to wonder “what if” later. And sometimes, life throws you a stark reminder of why you should act.

This morning, during my jog at UST, I witnessed a freak accident on España around 5 a.m. A sleek, powerful motorcycle—brusko vibes—slammed into the back of a PUV/FX. The road was nearly empty, just a few cars and this bike. The rider somersaulted through the air, arms flailing, before crashing head and back onto the pavement. It felt like slow motion. For a few agonizing seconds, he lay motionless. I froze, unsure what to do in the middle of España.

Then, miraculously, he stood up, dusted himself off, and pushed his damaged bike to the side of the road near a gas station. I kicked his shattered side mirrors off the asphalt to prevent debris. The FX driver jumped out, confronting the biker, urging him not to flee and claiming he smelled of alcohol. I kept my distance, but I noticed the rider—young, good-looking, maybe a rich kid or a movie star, judging by his flashy bike—removed his full-face helmet. He seemed shaken but okay.

Satisfied he wasn’t going anywhere, I continued toward UST for my jog. As I walked, it hit me: this guy survived a brutal crash with no visible serious injuries. Life is fragile. One moment, you’re cruising along; the next, it could all vanish. No exaggeration—it can be gone in less than 60 seconds. (Side note: love that movie.)

This got me thinking about taking chances. Not reckless ones, but calculated risks—legal, thought-out opportunities that align with your dreams or goals. Chances come and go, and they rarely circle back the same way. Sure, risks are scary. As the saying goes, “FAFO—f*** around and find out.” But playing it safe forever means missing out on growth, adventure, or something you’ve always wanted to try. What’s worse: failing or never trying at all?

I’ve taken plenty of chances, some good, some bad. I’ve lost money in the stock market, failed at side hustles, and flopped in business ventures. But I’ve also joined a fraternity, played golf (high handicapper, guilty), invested savings, started a YouTube channel, worked as an OFW in a far-off desert, and dabbled in digital marketing. Not all panned out yet, but I grabbed those opportunities and gave them a shot. No regrets there.

Life’s too short to stay in your comfort zone. If a chance comes—something legal, meaningful, or exciting—take it. You might fail, but you’ll learn. You might succeed, and it could change everything. Either way, you’ll know you lived boldly. So, when opportunity knocks, don’t hesitate. Grab it by the balls and see where it takes you.