Tag: Change

One door closes. NOW what??

That is totally up to us!

Green door European styleWe can thank Alexander Graham Bell for this wonderful quote:

When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.

That is so very true!

While we may think of Alexander Graham Bell only as the inventor of the telephone (we learned that as kids!), there was much more to Mr. Bell. He endured many hardships in life – as we all do – but he persevered to “see the good” and have an appreciation for the new doors that could and did open in his life. Hopefully we can do the same.

Have doors closed for us? Yes. We can all think of a few…or maybe even several.  Loss may close some doors. Age alone may close some doors. Unexpected life changes can close some doors.

Have new doors opened for us? Yes! To see those doors we must approach life with an open mind, an open heart, and with our eyes wide open. How else can we take advantage of wonderful serendipity when it comes our way? Of course, hope and optimism are also required!

Years ago I read the book Repacking Your Bags: Lighten Your Load for The Rest of Your Life by Richard Leider and David Shapiro. Here is a great take-a-way from that book:

There are many doors to open and close in our lives.  Some we leave ajar, where we hope and plan to return.  Some doors are slammed shut decisively – ‘No more of that!’  Some are closed regretfully, softly – ‘It was good but it is over.’  Departures entail arrivals somewhere else.  Closing a door means opening onto new vistas, ventures, new possibilities…

Yes, I’ve slammed some doors. I’ve closed others regretfully. And some doors have been closed on me. Did that hurt sometimes? Sure. Did life go on? Yes, it did!

As kindred spirits in aging, we can view this life journey as a time for new opportunities with new doors to open. Not doing so would be boring…and frankly depressing!

Let’s not move backwards (we’ve already been there!). Let’s not stay the same. Let’s open new doors, keep contributing, keep learning and make the very most of “the days of our lives.”

Here’s to opening new doors…together!

♥

Discovering Our Own Unique “Right Life”

So…do the people, places and activities in your life contribute to your happiness and well-being??

silhouette photo of person
Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Pexels.com

If I read a book and learn something new that I remember for a really long time, then reading that book was worth my time.  Reading Finding My Own North Star by Martha Beck – which I read at least ten years ago – was definitely worth my time!  In this book Dr. Beck shares her advice on discovering our own unique “right life” – or, as she refers to it, our Own North Star.

Before I get to what I remember most about this book (and please keep reading!), let me share a few valuable insights that Dr. Beck provided. First, none of the individuals that have touched our lives have the ability to control our choices. We do sometimes forget that. Second, accepting impermanence means embracing the world as it is, complete with loss. That acceptance becomes even more important as we grow older. Next, it’s important to “hang out with our favorite people” – our “tribe.” Can’t argue with that!

Now on to my very favorite part of Dr. Beck’s book!  The Lifestyle Profile allows us to plot along a negative-to-positive continuum how our body reacts to the people in our lives, the activities in our lives, and the places where we spend our time.  I’ve attached a somewhat abbreviated version of the Profile if you’d like to give it a try. Please take a look!

Now, hopefully we inherently know what and who have either positive or negative impacts on our lives. However, seeing that “in black and white” can be eye-opening – at the very least – or even at times alarming.  Right there in front of us, on that piece of paper, we can see where we just might want to make some changes in our life!

All in all, Finding Your Own North Star offers some helpful advice for “turning your life into a work of art.” Just as the “real” North Star up in the heavens helps sailors navigate on stormy seas, our own North Star can help us find our way back “home” when we veer off course, which we sometimes do. Personally, I’ll take all the help I can get!

And our journey continues at the great University of Life!

♥