Ready to Move Forward

When one opportunity falls through, it always opens up other possibilities. But sometimes we’re so stuck on the previous one that we can't see the next one.

• All month you’ve been looking forward to the day at the pumpkin patch with your kids.  Now the day is here and it’s pouring rain.
• You’ve labored for weeks on the proposal to a client you really thought would say yes.  But they’ve decided to go with someone else.
• After months of searching for your first house, you finally found “the one” only to be outbid.

Hoping for things is normal and healthy.  It’s part of being human.

The problem is when we tie our well-being to those expectations being fulfilled, and remain attached long after the opportunity has passed.  It's like driving a car while staring into the rearview mirror.  Clinging to the past often leads to despair or resentment (and unwise, distracted decisions).

Or, when those hopes are dashed, we can observe the outcome, accept that it's happened, and experience our sadness or anger in all its fullness (really, really feel it).  It may even help to physically close our eyes to absorb this moment. 

Then open our eyes to the new doors that are now open.