If you read any books about career, life choices or any type of business book, most will tell you to seize the moment when opportunity presents itself. Here is a picture by photographer Colleen Niska who did just that when she noticed a tornado while taking a client’s wedding photos in Saskatchewan. Thanks to her creativity and quick thinking, she took some pretty outstanding images that have garnered worldwide attention.

On her Facebook page, she posted: “I’ve dreamed about a day like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Could NOT wait to post these! Pretty sure this will only happen once in my lifetime!”

I’m gonna have to agree with her on that one. But what a day indeed! When I hear about stories of chance and opportunity that are seized and rewarded, I always feel inspired to do the same in my own life. Do you have the courage to face a tornado (figurative or literally) to make your moments happen?

Here’s five tactics from Tiny Budda for a motivational kick in the derriere:

1. Live your life with purpose.
2. Stop making excuses.
3. Choose not to be a victim.
4. Stop comparing yourself to others.
5. Take action now.

Carpe diem!