How do you balance opening, walking through and closing?
To me, opening doors feels healthy... doors to new ideas, new projects, new ways of doing things, new trips, new conversations, new opportunities.
No matter where you are stuck or overwhelmed, how does remembering to balance opening, walking through and closing support your optimal health?
There are endless doors to open and looking for them can be alluring.
Which new online class can I take to deepen my meditation practice? Which new book by Sounds True speaks to me right now?
And while I'm looking, which pilates reformer class might I try?
Oh yes, and ShopZuri has new patterns for their kitenge cloth dresses.... hmmm. Which is most creative? Mushrooms? or Fish? Or perhaps birds?
You get the picture. I can spend hours diving deep, looking for doors I would like to open. For me, opening is very, very easy and very, very alluring.
And that feels healthy, to a point.
And, I also know this...
Opening is only part of the picture. For me, opening can be a way to deflect from the "walking through" and "closing." When I am busy looking for new things, I am not doing the things. I am not doing the really hard work of walking through the door towards unwinding the complex situation facing me, of having the difficult conversation with the colleague, or facing the ultra itchy projects on my to-do list.
I notice that for me and many people, the "walking through/doing" part is difficult because it requires sustained discipline. And completing and closing the door can be even more illusive.
For others, it is easier to "do" then "open". Being completely absorbed with heads-down "doing" can feel less risky than looking for new doors to open - or to notice how many doors haven't been opened.
And for others, closing and cleaning up is the path of least resistance. For me, closing feels healthy and it is often hard work - closing relationships that no longer work, closing uncomfortable work projects before starting a new one, closing the physical activity goal.
Opening, walking through, closing. In order, with balance, most of the time.
How I balance opening, walking through and closing is my choice - as I notice my patterns, I can decide how to change them so that they best serve my goals. It is up to me.
Reach out to me if your behaviors don't feel balanced - I can help you unwind the complex barriers that are getting in your way of opening, walking through and closing the doors in your life and together we can create a pathway that works.
