Sometimes we can get so comfortable in our daily routines that we forget to open the door to new life experiences. Routines are helpful if they don’t interfere with the richness of broadening our horizons. Once we open a new door, we open ourself up to new possibilities and create the potential for personal and spiritual development. Even a minor change can introduce something more fulfilling, or a small shift in our thinking may reveal opportunities we never thought possible. There are many doors to open but we decide which ones we choose to walk through. And, if we don’t like what we’ve chosen, we can change our mind.

Doors come in many different forms. Removing something from our life that no longer serves us is a door to more peace. Letting go of grudges opens the door to forgiveness. If we challenge our ideas of what we can and can’t do, we open the door to new opportunities. Walking outside without headphones, or a phone in our hand, opens the door to greater observation of the beauty around us. Trying a new activity like a musical instrument, cooking or art classes opens the door to discovering new talents and friendships.

Difficult challenges are a door to getting to know ourself better, strengthening our inner resources and accepting the power of our own choices. This is often the format where the greatest inner growth takes place because we are accepting and working with whatever is happening. It’s the power of our choices that opens the door to major breakthroughs. Then we arrive at confidence and clarity.

When we visit a different church, listen to different people’s point of view, or examine the blind spots we may have in our ideology, we open the door to open mindedness. Traveling to a different country, trying new ethnic foods, and observing the customs of that land, opens the door to adventure and a deeper understanding of our world. New experiences can open the door to further experiences because growth is self-perpetuating.  

Talking with a stranger can open the door to friendship, while offering to help someone opens the door to compassion. Other options are joining a choir, trying a new recipe, singing karaoke, starting a car pool, visiting a new museum or volunteering at a local pet shelter. All these open the door to further self-discovery and the satisfaction of breaking out of the comfort zone of daily routines. 

Opening the door of possibilities enriches our lives and allows us to enjoy it to the fullest. If life gives us a closed door, let’s not waste time banging on it when there are so many other doors to go through. On the internet I found this quote by Brittany Burgunder, “Trust the timing of your life. Keep focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, be kind, and follow your heart. Doors will open effortlessly, but first you have to be ready to walk through.” Let’s look at our choices and decide which door we would like to open and walk through first. Which door will you try?

Until Next Time – Sylvia