Everyone who lives life intensely has, at one point or another, experienced what I like to call a half-open door. We know it can get complicated, butwe only get one shot at life and at finding what really makes us happy while living it. Part of our happiness depends on knowing which doors to shut and which to fully open. It’s extremely healthy to remember that a half-opened door is half-opened happiness.
Shut the doors you don’t need
No matter how unfair it seems, sometimes we’re faced with circumstances, situations or even memories that cause us to become paralyzed in our immediate reality.
We stop moving forward and won’t feel like we’ve resumed until we let go of what’s holding us back. The sooner we know what’s bad for us and remove it, the sooner we can move forward.
“Close some doors today. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere.”
-Paulo Coelho-
For example, you’ve undoubtedly seen someone whom you love very much and have absolute trust in, make the decision to leave, or simply leave without making a decision at all. Everything changes and you feel like the world is punishing you and being cruel. For whatever reason, the thing you wanted is no longer in reach.
When these types of things happen, you have to learn to let go and close the door on pain. There comes a time in which pain should no longer be painful: your experiences are meant to be teachings, and your memories to remember who you are; not to avoid being yourself.
Your present is not your past, and you can’t let it define your tomorrow if it doesn’t bring you happiness and lead you to finding your bliss. Don’t let anything stand in the way of getting through that door. A person who doesn’t want to be with you isn’t going to have second thoughts. Make decisions and make others do the same: to stay or go.
Decide which doors you want to open…and open them
It’s not just our present getting stuck in the making, but our future, as well. Not only are we paralyzed by the things we choose to hold on to, but also the ones we don’t.
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -Milton Berle-
We become easily intimidated by unfamiliar or new situations. We don’t know what’s going to happen to us now that the person has left or that we’ve let go, or now that a certain thing has come in to our lives and turned it upside-down.
Always seek out the whole package
Sometimes we get to thinking that the doors to our future are all closed, and that there’s nothing that really inspires us and gives us strength.
“There’s a difference between fear and paralysis. And I’ve learned that I don’t have to “grow up” to be open to opportunity, to be willing to step through doors without being pushed. I just have to be brave. I just have to be slightly braver than I am scared.”
-Victoria Schwab-
Your happiness is completely up to you, and what may seem like a closed door can really be one that’s waiting to be opened. Actually, more often than not, we have what we need to succeed and don’t know about it because we’re convinced that whatever is happening has no solution.
Life doesn’t wait for anyone, and being sorry for the things we’ve done or denying ourselves the things we need isn’t going to get us any further. Life goes on, and we should be right behind.
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.
