We all know the saying, “When one door closes, another one opens”, as it is often said when a situation has come to an end, and to give us some comfort that something positive is imminent. However, all too often, we look back wistfully at the past, perhaps wishing a particular could continue. But in doing so, we are not able to take advantage of new opportunities that are emerging.

Helen Keller may know a thing or two about doors closing, and others opening and brimming with opportunities. Many of us are aware of her story. Born healthy, she lost her sight and hearing as a toddler, and so grew up trying to communicate with ad hoc gestures. Ultimately, she was not able to express herself well, and more importantly, be understood by those around her. Around the age of seven, first teacher, Anne Sullivan, taught her sign language, and how to read and write.

However, as was portrayed in the television movie, The Miracle Worker, based on Helen Keller’s autobiography, Helen was strongly opposed to learning what Anne Sullivan had to teach. Luckily Ms. Sullivan persistence prevailed. She was able to break through Helen’s walls of silence and darkness and teach her how to communicate, which not only transformed Helen’s life to one she could not begin to image, by opening her up to a world of new possibilities.

 

Throughout the day, we invite you to revisit this quote. Below are a few questions you may wish to ask yourself, and those who journal may find them especially useful:

• How difficult is it for me to let go of a bad situation?
• How difficult is it for me to let go of a positive experience that has come to an end?
• Have there been opportunities that I have missed because I was holding on too much to a past experience?
• How might I be able to embrace new opportunities more quickly and more fully?

 

 

Best wishes, and have a great day!