My grandmother used to tell me:
“When God closes one door, it actually opens several others.”
As a child, I found this comforting but incomplete. “Where are these other doors?” I’d ask her. “How do you find them?” She would smile knowingly, as if the answer was something I’d have to discover for myself.
It took me years to realize that a door is never just a door. It’s a symbol of possibilities. Each one you encounter—literal or metaphorical—is a chance to grow. But here’s the catch:
- Not every door is meant to be opened.
- Some doors are locked for a reason.
- And others, no matter how inviting, might not lead to the destination you imagine.
The key is learning to discern which doors deserve your effort. This is where temperament and skills come in.
Temperament is the quiet strength that helps you stay calm and observant. It’s what allows you to notice the subtle signs—the unexpected opportunity disguised as failure, or the chance hidden in chaos.
With temperament, you develop patience for doors that won’t open immediately and courage to keep knocking when others might walk away.
If temperament gets you to the door, skills are the key that opens it. Whether it’s communication, resilience, or expertise, your skills determine whether you’re ready to seize the opportunity.
Doors don’t stay open forever. When one appears, you need to act with confidence, using what you’ve learned to step through.
These two qualities—temperament and skills—work hand in hand. Temperament gives you the clarity to see opportunities, while skills give you the tools to act on them.
Doors are everywhere. Some are visible, others hidden, and a few may seem locked. The question is: Are you ready to find them, knock on them, and step through?
The next door might not be the one you expected, but with the right mix of temperament and skills, it could lead you somewhere extraordinary.
So, what’s the next door you’re planning to open?