All week I’ve been reading great flash fiction written by my fellow campaigners, most of which start with The door swung open and end with The door swung shut. So, it was interesting when I also read an inspiring memoir, Hope Will Find You, by Naomi Levy that offered a new take on the following saying:
When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.–Alexander Graham Bell
It’s optimistic, but it also seems to require a faith or hope that we might be struggling for, depending on what is behind our closed door. If we’ve lost our faith or sense of hope, then we focus on the failure, the disappointment or the sadness.
Sometimes we stay there simply because we are waiting for improvement, good news, or The Hope.
In her book, Naomi suggests that we don’t wait. Instead, she says to turn around, face that new place and live. No matter what, keep moving forward, because that’s the space where hope will find you.
Like Dorrie from Finding Nemo said, “Just keep swimming.”
We might not have had any control over that door slamming, but we are in control of our attitude and focus. How we view our life is a matter of perception.
What are you focusing on? Will you be ready when hope tracks you down?
* * *
In other news, thanks so much to Ruth Schiffman for giving me the Liebster Blog award. I will be posting my five nominations soon!
Also, I am hoping to track down all the blogs I started following with Google Friend Connect. I clicked it many, many times this past week and only one, lovely, blog is listed in my account (even after I click “manage blogs” as the help site suggested). Where did they all go? I don’t know, but now I am adding blogs manually to Google reader. I know I am missing a bunch, but I am sure I will come across them again as the campaign continues.
And thanks to everyone for the blog love, and to Deniz for letting me know my poem made the short list for stage two. Have a great week!
Coleen Patrick 
When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.–Alexander Graham Bell
Awesome quote! I’ll have to check out that book. It sounds interesting.
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Thanks again Raelyn!
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Your blog is beautiful. Whenever I try to make ours all snazzy (is that even a word?) I mess it up–big time. So I’ll just have to stop by to enjoy yours! The door picture you’ve posted is also beautiful, as is this post. I love hopeful posts. (I use the “Just keep swimming” song when training for marathons (Just keep running, just keep running….). We’re behind in following Campaigners. Story of our life, but we’ll keep plugging away at it. (Hey the song coudl work for that too!) Christy
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whoops. forgot to fill out the info. didn’t mean to post anonymously! christy (again)
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Thanks Christy, your comments always make me smile (and not just because you keep posting anonymously!) 🙂
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Wow! Coleen. I really needed to be reminded of this today. Thank you! And hello to a fellow campaigner. I read your challenge, but I needed to comment on this post because it was just very timely for me 🙂
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Years ago, I promised myself to live a life without regret. It’s easier for me to move forward and look back. This week, I’m focusing on a family vacation. My only Internet time is when I get a moment of wifi service. Enjoying it and will return to the campaign trail next week.
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Aww I love inspirational posts like this one!
And yay for Team Jacob! It’s okay, cougar-ing is in right now. Guys have been ogling way too young women for years, after all ;P
Finally someone who gets the anime creepiness! Now THAT is Chris Hansen-worthy.
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Instead, she says to turn around, face that new place and live. No matter what, keep moving forward, because that’s the space where hope will find you.
Lovely words. I needed to read them today…thanks for sharing!
Join me at the Rule of Three Writers’ Blogfest!
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Thanks Kelly, Stacy, Sophia and Damyanti!!
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Hey Coleen, I notice that you already have one of the awards, but I also wanted to give you the other. I know that the rules are a bit daunting, but I wanted to nominate this award to you. My link is: http://sherilswift.blogspot.com/2011/09/blogger-awards.html
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This is really quite beautiful and exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for posting.
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