MSS #0160: The ONE Opportunity My Nan Told Me to Look For

MSS #0160: The ONE Opportunity My Nan Told Me to Look For

31 Jan, 2026

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This week’s newsletter is personal.

It’s about resilience.
Perspective.
And a piece of wisdom that has stayed with me for decades.

When I was eight years old,
my Nan passed away.

Before she did,
she made sure she left me with something far more valuable than possessions.

She left me a way of thinking.

The Storms My Nan Faced

My Nan was hit by many disasters in her life.

Each one was life changing.
Not minor setbacks.
Not inconveniences.

Real events that knock the wind out of you.

Yet somehow,
she managed the storms.

She didn’t become bitter.
She didn’t harden.
She didn’t withdraw from life.

Instead,
she grew a happy, loving family.

Looking back now,
that may have been her greatest achievement.

Before she died,
she passed on the advice she valued most.

She said:

“When you're knocked off course, focus in on the ONE opportunity that will emerge from the disaster.”

At the time,
I didn’t fully understand it.

But my mind remembered it.

Because Nan wisely planted that seed in my mind, knowing one day I would find it useful.

And over the years,
I’ve seen how powerful it really is.

Finding the ONE Opportunity

This isn’t about pretending things are fine.

My Nan never did that.

She didn’t deny pain.
She didn’t minimise loss.

What she understood was how the mind works under pressure.

When something bad happens, our thoughts scatter.

They race.
They replay.
They catastrophise.

So, she gave the mind one instruction.

Find the ONE thing.

Here’s why that works:

• A single focus calms mental chaos

• Thoughts cluster around something useful, rather than unhelpful

• Purpose replaces panic

• Drama drains away

• Momentum quietly returns

One opportunity gives the brain something constructive to do.

It doesn’t fix everything.
But it gives you a foothold.

And sometimes, that’s all you need to begin climbing out.

How to Use This in Real Life

When life knocks you off course, try this.

Ask yourself one question only:

“What is the ONE opportunity I can take from this?”

Not five.
Not ten.

Just one.

It might be a lesson.
A boundary.
A new direction.
A relationship reset.
Or simply greater self-respect.

Hold your attention there.

Let other useful thoughts gather around it.

This isn’t forced positivity.
It’s deliberate focus.

My Nan knew something important.

You don’t need everything to make sense.
You just need one thing to move towards.

Summary

When disaster hits,
the mind looks for safety and control.

My Nan’s advice gives both.

Find the ONE opportunity.
Let it anchor you.
Let it guide your next step.

Over time,
that single focus can change the entire direction of your life.

Quick recap:

• My Nan lived through multiple life-changing disasters

• She focused on one opportunity after each setback

• A single focus calms the mind and reduces overwhelm

• One opportunity creates direction and momentum

• You can always choose where your attention goes

See you next week. One more thought 👇

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That's it for this week. Thanks for reading, really hope this helped. Contact me if you think I can help you further at [email protected].

Happy thinking.