Life is a series of events. True, but really, it can be boiled down to doors and corners.
Doors are symbolic. They represent the opportunities that life presents us with. Doors are an entrance to a choice. Why do we wait? When life opens a door for us, why don’t we run for it, ignoring everything in our path? Opportunities are wonderful. Sure, they don’t all work out, but the ones that do, are often life changing. Stepping through is not a guaranteed win. But the thrill and the power of it lies in the experience. We often learn more from our mistakes than we do our victories. I have stepped through many, many doors and fallen flat on my face. I’d like to say, I picked myself up, brushed myself off, and carried on. In reality, I cried, I threw fits, I felt sorry for myself, and then I picked myself up, brushed myself off, and carried on. I haven’t always handled my situations with poise and grace, but, I did always remember the lessons I learned from stumbling through each door.
Some of the doors we choose are not right for us. I think everyone has walked through a door only to throw on the breaks and try to get out as quickly as possible. It happens. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, it probably will. Don’t panic! Find your next door.
That leads me to corners. Just as important as the doors you choose are the ones in your corner. Who is in your corner? Who is there for you when you choose a challenging door? It can be family, friends, or even yourself. Particularly yourself! You are stuck with you for your whole life, so make sure that you are always in your corner. Believe in yourself, even when no one else does. They don’t know which door you have chosen, they don’t know which door you just shut. Their opinion does not apply to your circumstance, unless they are in your corner for you. Sometimes, the ones in your corner change depending on what door you are in. That is okay. Just make sure to notice the ones that are always in your corner, regardless of which door. Those are the people that have your back, the diehards. Those are true friends (even if it is your mother, no, especially if it is your mother!).
Life is a series of doors and corners. Embrace that, enjoy that. Maybe I’ll see you at the next door and maybe you can find me in one of your corners when you need me. Either way, don’t forget to shut the door on your way out.
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash
Rio L. Barney is an author of all things fantasy with a dash of horror and sci-fi mixed in. When not trekking through the wilds of Utah with her husband and three children, she can be found hacking away at a computer, often laughing at her own jokes. She loves to stare at the stars and dig in the dirt while attempting to grow anything and everything in the heavy clay of Utah County. Born and raised in Lehi, she has traveled the world only to return to her hometown. You can find her on Facebook as Rio Barney and Instagram @barneyrio