Open THAT Door

Senior year is finally here.  I’ve spent my entire life aware of the number 2017; I punch it into the keypad before lunch every day, but never actually believed that it would come so fast.  As many of you know, or will find out, a large amount of time during your senior year can be spent applying for scholarships.  In one particular interview, I remember a specific set of questions.  I was asked about a small lawn care business my brothers and I ran a few years back.  I was also asked about the FFA and my experience as a district officer.  Finally, I was asked about my SAE:  beef cattle.  As I was finishing up my answer to the last question, the interviewer paused.  “So, would you say you like opportunities?”

            “Yeah, I would definitely say that!” I replied.  I didn’t have much time to think about this question until the ride home.  During this reflection, I realized that much of my life thus far has revolved around opportunities.  I discovered a taste for entrepreneurship when I helped my brother mow lawns around the age of 10.  I have enjoyed the opportunity to raise beef cattle with the help and supervision of my uncle.  I fondly recall spending my first few days in a tractor baling straw in the summer of 2013.  I never realized how helping with that wheat harvest would lead to countless hours in a tractor, and that I would appreciate every second.  An electric cooperative gave me the opportunity to apply for the trip of a lifetime.  I capitalized by earning a FREE trip to Washington D.C.  Lastly, after a ton of practice and some help from advisors, I have been able to take advantage of the opportunity to be a North Central District Officer.

My group trying to fit as many people as possible in the elevator in Washington D.C.

            I would compare opportunities to doors.  Each door is different and is often your first perception of what might be on the other side.  There is a plethora of smells and sounds coming from behind each door.  Some of the doors even have different amounts of light that filters through cracks to greet you.  For me, one of those doors was a bright yellow, like the summer sun.  I could smell the fresh cut grass and hear the engine of a push lawn mower from behind that one.  Another door was black and stamped with 35U and a smaller 47X (the numbers of my first cow/calf pair).  The sounds of calves being weaned and the smell of manure were prominent. The third door was painted Massey Ferguson red and John Deere green.  A diesel engine could be heard and the smell of straw and alfalfa hay was strong.  Finally, I get to the biggest door of all.  This one is National blue and the wood is embossed like corduroy.  Voices in conversation can be heard plainly and light from behind this door is bright, yet warm. 

But here is the catch.  The room you are in now, is comfortable.  Life could go on just as well with those doors remaining shut.  Some of the doors look and seem intriguing, but you may be nervous, because you aren’t exactly sure where each one leads.  You picture yourself swinging a door open only to find that it was not a good idea.  You easily find yourself theorizing about all the ways something could go wrong.  However, there is that possibility that you could really enjoy or even love what you find on the other side.

I have hesitated many times before a door, or when an opportunity has arisen.  However, the idea of what that opportunity might become keeps me interested.  I know that some parts may be challenging but I understand the possibilities for success.  Sometimes, all it takes is a deep breath.  With that quick collection of your thoughts, opening that door becomes much easier.  Sometimes encouragement is needed as a motivator.  Either way, as I have opened each door, I find that the rewards outweigh the fear and doubt that exist behind the door.  With this knowledge, it is easier to leave that comfortable familiar place to pursue what is waiting on the other side.

All of these doors, or rather what was on the other side of them, have shaped me into who I am today.  Each and every one of those doors was an opportunity in my life.

I encourage you to open a few of your own doors.  I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities that you come across in the FFA.  In this organization, there are many chances to make connections and improve your skills.  Sign up for that speech next year, try a new CDE, or even run for chapter office.  Sure, you may find that you weren’t meant to do everything you try.  But, you will find something that you enjoy.  That something may seem too difficult or not immediately of interest.  But that is just your first impression.  In my earlier examples, just hearing or smelling what was associated with the door, could have been justification not to open it.  People often chose to leave the door closed. The thing is though, some of these doors, or opportunities, may disappear.  You will only be in the position you are now, once.  You only have 4-maybe 5-years as a chapter FFA member.  I encourage you to make the most of it!  When you come across an opportunity, when you see a door, open it.  Take the time to utilize that opportunity!  You never know what could be on the other side.

Your North Central District President,

Eli Ohlde

The last three NCD Presidents, Lane Coberly, Katelyn Bohnenblust, and me!