Comments on: Another Door Opens… http://encouragementfoundation.org/finding-opportunity/another-door-opens/ Encouragement Empowers Yourself and Others Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:36:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Alison Elliot http://encouragementfoundation.org/finding-opportunity/another-door-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Alison Elliot Sun, 08 Aug 2010 12:44:51 +0000 http://encouragementfoundation.org/?p=18#comment-64 When I was 18 the then "love of my life" left me for another. I was devastated. My whole world truned upsided down. I actually wanted to die I was so depressed. The closing of that door, I learned years later, provide me with one of the best opportunities of my life. . . it literally changed the course of my life, pointing me in the direction of my destiny. Thank you for your post it remeinded me how surpassing fate to meet destiny usually does require the closing of some doors before others can be fully opened. When I was 18 the then “love of my life” left me for another. I was devastated. My whole world truned upsided down. I actually wanted to die I was so depressed. The closing of that door, I learned years later, provide me with one of the best opportunities of my life. . . it literally changed the course of my life, pointing me in the direction of my destiny. Thank you for your post it remeinded me how surpassing fate to meet destiny usually does require the closing of some doors before others can be fully opened.

]]> By: Bruce http://encouragementfoundation.org/finding-opportunity/another-door-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Bruce Wed, 19 May 2010 17:07:32 +0000 http://encouragementfoundation.org/?p=18#comment-50 Every day in a different way a door is opened for us to extend ourselves, rather than stay in the dark. When the opportunity comes, how often do we say to ourselves, "we're not ready" or talk ourselves out of not acting. Life is not about ourselves - it's about community, relationship and letting go. When the door opens and we are given the glimpse of light, go to it. If someone offers to help you, accept gratefully and move on. We can't build the world by ourselves, but by gathering mighty companions on the way, as we step through the door of fear into the light. Every day in a different way a door is opened for us to extend ourselves, rather than stay in the dark. When the opportunity comes, how often do we say to ourselves, “we’re not ready” or talk ourselves out of not acting. Life is not about ourselves – it’s about community, relationship and letting go. When the door opens and we are given the glimpse of light, go to it. If someone offers to help you, accept gratefully and move on. We can’t build the world by ourselves, but by gathering mighty companions on the way, as we step through the door of fear into the light.

]]> By: Barb Dickson http://encouragementfoundation.org/finding-opportunity/another-door-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Barb Dickson Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:48:09 +0000 http://encouragementfoundation.org/?p=18#comment-8 Every day in a different way a door is opened for us to extend ourselves, rather than stay in the dark. When the opportunity comes, how often do we say to ourselves, "we're not ready" or talk ourselves out of not acting. Life is not about ourselves - it's about community, relationship and letting go. When the door opens and we are given the glimpse of light, go to it. If someone offers to help you, accept gratefully and move on. We can't build the world by ourselves, but by gathering mighty companions on the way, as we step through the door of fear into the light. Every day in a different way a door is opened for us to extend ourselves, rather than stay in the dark. When the opportunity comes, how often do we say to ourselves, “we’re not ready” or talk ourselves out of not acting. Life is not about ourselves – it’s about community, relationship and letting go. When the door opens and we are given the glimpse of light, go to it. If someone offers to help you, accept gratefully and move on. We can’t build the world by ourselves, but by gathering mighty companions on the way, as we step through the door of fear into the light.

]]> By: Loree Rudd http://encouragementfoundation.org/finding-opportunity/another-door-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Loree Rudd Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:03:51 +0000 http://encouragementfoundation.org/?p=18#comment-7 It's the timing of stories that decide our receptiveness to their message. This story, "Another Door Opens", will not take root in a person who has never felt defeated by an event (from something external like failing an academic or practical examination to something so much deeper and more damaging, such as self-loathing for failing to be all we want to be for someone or something we love). It is a beautiful story. I love the light behind the slightly ajar door in the illustration, for the room in which we are standing is so very dark. That darkness is the focus on self and failure. The light shifts the focus to the purpose of the examination and the value of the life of the one or thing we love. No matter to what extent we have failed, we can begin to prepare again to reach our potential (maybe via more study or some path that does not involve academic or practical exams) or to love the one or thing we believe we failed. If that one or thing has died, we can still love. In death there is always new life. The dying below the soil surface allows a transformation: new shoots of an even greater and more enduring love - IF we look to the light and warmth above us and so push through the dark, cold soil. The pain of death can actually prove a fertile place in which love matures. And the plant and flower that blooms through the experience can benefit not only the one / thing who / that died, but the whole world. So this story says: rejoice in your failures - not for themselves, but for the potential life and love they can bring to all mankind. It’s the timing of stories that decide our receptiveness to their message. This story, “Another Door Opens”, will not take root in a person who has never felt defeated by an event (from something external like failing an academic or practical examination to something so much deeper and more damaging, such as self-loathing for failing to be all we want to be for someone or something we love).

It is a beautiful story. I love the light behind the slightly ajar door in the illustration, for the room in which we are standing is so very dark. That darkness is the focus on self and failure.

The light shifts the focus to the purpose of the examination and the value of the life of the one or thing we love. No matter to what extent we have failed, we can begin to prepare again to reach our potential (maybe via more study or some path that does not involve academic or practical exams) or to love the one or thing we believe we failed. If that one or thing has died, we can still love. In death there is always new life. The dying below the soil surface allows a transformation: new shoots of an even greater and more enduring love – IF we look to the light and warmth above us and so push through the dark, cold soil. The pain of death can actually prove a fertile place in which love matures. And the plant and flower that blooms through the experience can benefit not only the one / thing who / that died, but the whole world.

So this story says: rejoice in your failures – not for themselves, but for the potential life and love they can bring to all mankind.

]]> By: Chris http://encouragementfoundation.org/finding-opportunity/another-door-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Chris Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:39:26 +0000 http://encouragementfoundation.org/?p=18#comment-6 Knowing the John Shadforth I know, it's hard to imagine he could EVER be discouraged. But when someone as successful as he is can share feelings of doubt and fear, so much from the heart, the message becomes all the more powerful, and simply has to help others in seeing the light. Thanks for investing the time to share your story. Knowing the John Shadforth I know, it’s hard to imagine he could EVER be discouraged. But when someone as successful as he is can share feelings of doubt and fear, so much from the heart, the message becomes all the more powerful, and simply has to help others in seeing the light. Thanks for investing the time to share your story.

]]> By: Sarah http://encouragementfoundation.org/finding-opportunity/another-door-opens/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Sarah Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:30:10 +0000 http://encouragementfoundation.org/?p=18#comment-3 Pretty good post. I just came across your site and wanted to say that I've really enjoyed reading your posts. In any case I'll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon! Pretty good post. I just came across your site and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!

]]>