Monday, August 10, 2015

Open Doors

Life is filled with doors, unique chances to start something new. Every day we are surrounded by opportunities; some small, others large but all with the potential to change our lives if we simply have the courage to seize them. While, each opportunity that we are presented with may not be simple, they are still out there if we choose to fight for them. Benjamin Mee, author of the book We Bought a Zoo later adapted to a 2011 film starring Matt Damon, writes, “Sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” 

For me, life may have closed a few doors but it has also opened more than I ever possibly could have imagined. As I look back I realize the great number of amazing chances have crossed my path, some of which I would not have ever expected. I have learned over the years that many of the biggest opportunities that we face are, in fact, completely unexpected and often times absolutely terrifying. There is power in being able to recognize and react to unforeseen possibilities, to use those twenty seconds. There are times when taking that first great leap is the hardest thing to do but all great things must begin somewhere.

Things like starting my work with Make-A-Wish, beginning my blog and making connections with new people were all chances I decided to take not knowing where it would go. Sometimes the only way to know if something is worth doing is to simply try it—to step over that proverbial threshold. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, "All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” In other words, we need to constantly put ourselves out there and try new things in order to get the most of what life has to offer.

When we open ourselves up to new ideas and experiences, more doors seem to appear and eventually every day starts to resemble the door warehouse from Monsters Inc. There are always opportunities to learn something new, to talk to someone new, to create something, to begin new chapters in our lives. It may always not be easy but, take it from me, it is certainly worth it. 

Missed chances—doors we let close—tend be some of the biggest regrets we hold. There is certainly a difference, however, between seizing the moment and being afraid of missing opportunities; sometimes things just simply don't work out. The trick is being willing to look for that next chance and remain optimistic that other doors will continue to open. May we all have the courage to enter the doors that are open, the serenity to accept the doors that have closed and the wisdom to know the difference.  



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