"Start where you are. Distant fields always look greener, but opportunity lies right where you are. Take advantage of every opportunity of service"
- Robert Collier
About this Quote
Robert Collier's quote highlights the significance of acknowledging and taking the chances in one's instant environment instead of being sidetracked by seemingly much better potential customers somewhere else. The expression "Start where you are" is a call to action, encouraging individuals to take initiative in their current situations without waiting on an ideal moment or scenario. This mindset moves the focus from external conditions to personal company, triggering individuals to show the tools and positions they presently have.
The line "Distant fields constantly look greener" serves as a metaphor for the typical human tendency to idealize circumstances that run out reach and undervalue what is within their grasp. This part of the quote is a tip to withstand the lure of the unknown that might appear more promising or fulfilling, representing the "lawn is always greener on the other side" saying. Collier cautions that this perception can lead to missed opportunities where one is standing, because the focus is misdirected to future possibilities rather than present realities.
"Opportunity lies right where you are" further enhances the idea that possible and prospects do not necessarily live in remote or seemingly superior environments. Rather, by cultivating awareness and appreciation for their existing situations, people might uncover hidden or neglected chances. This element of the quote points to the potential for individual development, profession development, and community service that exist within one's present context.
Lastly, the directive to "benefit from every opportunity of service" motivates individuals not only to search for individual gain but likewise to engage in acts of service. By contributing favorably to their environments, people typically find chances for personal and cumulative uplift. Collier's words recommend that through service, one can discover satisfaction and success, developing a cycle of positivity and potential that lies precisely where they are.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"
"The opportunity to create a small world between two pieces of cardboard, where time exists yet stands still, where people talk and I tell them what to say, is exciting and rewarding"