It takes one person to give you a big chance.

In the grand symphony of life, where countless souls strive in silence, there are moments when the course of an individual’s fate is changed by a single, pivotal act—a gesture of belief, a chance given by another. Patricia Velasquez, a woman of vision and grace, once shared a powerful truth: "It takes one person to give you a big chance." In these words lies the essence of transformation, the understanding that, often, it is not our own strength or effort alone that carries us to greatness, but the generosity of another who offers us the chance to rise, to reach beyond the limits of our circumstances.

Consider the journey of Hercules, the great hero of Greek mythology. His fate was sealed not by his own strength, but by the gods, who saw in him a potential that even he could not recognize. It was Hera who gave him the opportunity to prove his worth, assigning him the twelve labors that would ultimately shape him into the hero we remember today. Without that single act of chance, without Hera’s belief in his potential, Hercules would have remained just another mortal, struggling to find his place in the world. Velasquez’s words echo this truth—that the opportunities we receive often come not from our own doing, but from the grace of those who see something in us that we may not yet understand.

In the realm of history, we see countless examples of how a single individual, through a simple act of faith, can alter the course of another’s life. Consider the tale of Abraham Lincoln, whose rise from humble beginnings to the presidency of the United States was, in part, shaped by the chance he was given by his mentors and those who believed in his ability to lead. Lincoln, in his early years, was considered nothing more than a self-taught man with little formal education. Yet, it was the trust placed in him by others, such as Henry Clay, who saw something in the young man’s character and intellect, that propelled Lincoln to the national stage. It was not his own efforts alone that led him to greatness, but the faith of those who gave him the chance to prove himself.

The teachings of Plato remind us that the growth of the soul is often not a solitary journey, but one shaped by the guidance and encouragement of others. In his dialogues, Plato speaks of the importance of mentors, those who see potential in others and help them unlock it. He wrote of the philosopher-king, not as a solitary figure of wisdom, but as one who was nurtured by the guidance of others, who gave him the chance to learn and grow. Just as Plato saw the value of a single teacher’s belief in the student, so too does Velasquez speak to the power of one person’s faith in shaping the life of another.

And yet, Velasquez’s insight speaks not only of the chance given by others, but also of the humility required to accept such a chance. The greatest leaders, the most successful individuals, are not those who demand opportunities, but those who accept them with gratitude and wisdom. Take the example of Mahatma Gandhi, whose path to freedom was shaped by the many who gave him the chance to lead. But Gandhi did not seek power for its own sake. Instead, he humbly accepted the mantle of leadership, knowing that his true strength lay not in his title, but in the responsibility entrusted to him by others. It was through this humility that Gandhi was able to inspire a nation and lead it to independence, using the chance given to him as a means of greater good.

So, the lesson is clear: in the journey of life, it often takes one person to change the course of our destiny. The opportunities we receive may not always come from our own ambition or effort, but from the kindness and belief of those who see in us a potential we may not even recognize. Whether it is a mentor, a leader, or even a stranger who offers us a chance, it is through their trust that we are given the opportunity to rise above our limitations and shape our future. These moments of grace are sacred, for they remind us that we do not walk this path alone, and that it is in our relationships with others that we often find the key to unlocking our greatest potential.

In your own life, look to those who have offered you opportunities, who have believed in you when you could not believe in yourself. Be grateful for these chances, for they are the gifts that will help you grow. And, just as important, offer the same to others. Look around you and see the potential in those who are struggling, those who have yet to realize the greatness within them. Give them a chance to rise, for in doing so, you may change their world, just as others have changed yours. The power of a single act of faith, of offering someone the chance to thrive, can ripple through time and change the course of history.