Within Reach

There is something I received yesterday in an email from James Clear.  It is related to what I have been thinking about a lot of late.
"Opportunities are grains of sand. They slide right past drooping fingers, but an active palm can gather whatever is within reach and shape it into a little castle. It is the act of engaging with the material that gives it shape."
It all has to do with something I quoted recently from Ernest Hemingway.  ‘Gradually then suddenly.”
I really feel that the “gradually” time is what this lsaying relates to.  To me it is the gradually time I need to make the most of.  To me the gradually time is my preparation time.  It is advantageous to me to make the most of it.
I can though spend all my spare time watching tv or on social media.  But I will have nothing to show for the time, and when the pressure is on (like in the “suddenly” time) I mayl lack the strength I need to deal with it.  Good chance that while I am off trying to get the strength I need, the crisis will come to a head and I will be at a loss and unable to deal with it.
On the other hand I like what is said about “an active palm can gather whatever is within reach and shape it into a little castle.”
I reckon big time that is what I need to do.  There is stuff within my reach that I can use.  For me the internet is a biggy these days.  I need only type in a thought or question and a multitude of different ideas come up.  Also there are a lot of books I can read.  It is commonly said that no one reads these days, but so many interviews I see on tv feature shelves of books in the background.  Other people also have stuff I relate to and use.
The bottom line for me is to make use of what is at hand.  Little or much, some is useful and not to be disregarded.