Behind closed doors

Blogging random thoughts…what are you up to behind closed doors?

Doors play a pivotal importance in our lives and during my travels I have been intrigued by doors that look like they have many life stories to tell. I have bursts of inspiration when travelling to take photos and imagine the lives of the people who lived there or travelled through them.

A share of a green door photo from my trip to Malta on my Facebook page sparked an exchange between friends that prompted me to write this post. I thought it was ‘just a thing’ I had when exploring to take photos of old and interesting doors. Turns out it’s something I didn’t know about some of my friends. They also like doors! Who knew?

A dictionary defines a door as a solid piece of some form of material made from glass, wood or even metal which you then move to open or close an entrance to a space such as a room, building, a cupboard or vehicle.

Other symbolic meanings of doors are used in expressions such as “when one door closes another opens” in the context of life choices and opportunities we have. I’ve moved and lived in a number of countries many times over in my lifetime. I always leave behind the life I knew to experience a new culture and everything that it brings. New opportunities and experiences await; yet the old door had to be closed first to open up to new hopes, dreams and possibilities. Letting go of relationships, some friendships, work and a former lifestyle also brings its own challenges, losses and grief that I’ve had to process.

Yet through this process of transformation as a human to evolve and experience life in all its glory; I evolved, discovered who I am, what matters and what I don’t want in life. Comfort zone versus growth? Reviewing values and beliefs? An internal battle we all go through. It’s important to not judge other people and their choices until you’ve experienced it for yourself is something I have learnt, been aware and conscious of. In hindsight there has usually been a life event that has triggered my moves – sometimes out of my own or others choices. The Iranian revolution and uprising in the lates 70’s was one such life event as a child that triggered my family fleeing Iran with our suitcases as it was not safe. Yet now as an adult I have a curiosity to return to explore and meet the generations who have evolved since that historical period. We are not responsible for others actions, but we are of our own.

This is why the ‘symbolism’ of doors is thought to also include transformation, as they are metaphorically speaking entrances to somewhere else leaving behind something. If you search the internet on doors, there is a wealth of information out there in the context of transformation.

Doors tell stories about people’s lives, their comings and goings, hopes, dreams, and secrets that are kept behind closed doors until they are ready to be opened and shared with the world.

Other expressions especially in business that refer to ‘Chatham House’ rules which is a framework to conduct meetings due to the nature and sensitivity of the discussions and people involved; as it’s information not to be widely used or discussed for confidentiality reasons. Hence ‘behind closed doors‘ in the context of respecting privacy and sensitive information this worldwide adopted rule is useful to organisations and parties to engage in confidential discussions.

Behind closed doors is being able to earn trust, keeping and sharing secrets with close friends, family or professionals who share our dreams, joys, problems, and challenges.

Not everything needs to be shared with the world and an old expression ‘don’t hang out your dirty laundry’ where our elders kept secrets behind closed doors comes to mind.

This was a ‘story’ I was taught in the cultures I grew up in; especially in Iran and apartheid South Africa as a child. Some secrets are not safe or are toxic to those involved and people suffer in silence when there is another healthier option or choice; but fear keeps people stuck to seek help or alternative solutions to have a better life.

On the flip side with certain hot topics in today’s world – toxicity is being exposed which is a good thing to heal human behaviours that are harmful to people, flora, fauna, our planet and environment.

When I look at the transformation in some countries today – there has been progression culturally and people are standing up for what they believe in and challenging old dogmas and beliefs. My own journey has evolved as I also stood up to the injustices that were imposed upon me, learnt to say no and walk away from harmful people, structures and places that no longer served my lifestyle and vision.

With the internet and social media so much is out there, and I often have to catch myself to what news stories I want to engage in? Choices? Is this serving me? What is for my higher good? What doorway do I want to open and engage in?

The last few years I’m finding more and more I steer away from mainstream news, sensationalism and dramas of low vibrations. It’s energy draining and I’d rather move my focus to inspiration, love, and joy as that’s why we are here. I educate myself and I come to my own conclusions about what is meaningful, right or wrong. We’re born to thrive not just survive. Yes, events happen that are tragic and I would never wish anyone harm but sometimes I believe events happen to wake us up and learn a lesson to have the opportunity to transform, heal and love more and appreciate what we have now.

That is another topic that there is so much out there in the space of alchemy, energy fields, healing and psychology by leading edge experts and inspiring new thought leaders. One thing for me is to find what resonates personally as there are too many ‘gurus’ out there who actually harm rather than do good for their own agendas. It is just how it is in this world, the mix of light workers and the darker side of people. Learning lessons of trust, and love.

Doors are our life stories and only individuals can figure out their own story with some help along the way from friends, family, teachers, healers, mentors and random strangers that cross our paths to show us the way.

Yet at some point decisions are made too after a life review – What next? What no longer serves me? Where am I going? What do I desire? Humans are born to create experiences and we have the free choice to make decisions for the higher or lower transformation of our selves and this planet.

What door or story are you ready to close or open and start the next chapter of your life story?