Door Of Opportunity by digitalrn

Door Of Opportunity

I stood there for what seemed to be an eternity, contemplating, fearful, with beads of perspiration building on my forehead. My hand was on the door knob. A simple turn of the handle and I could glimpse across the threshold, but yet the unknown was paralyzing, and it made it impossible for me to take the next step. Then without warning, I heard the deadbolt engage. The opportunity passed.

How many times in life do we pass up opportunities to move forward? How often have we missed out on the opportunity to make a positive change in our life, our career, our relationships? We often sell ourselves short. We underestimate our abilities, our talents. Opportunities exist all around us. Any new journey consists of certain risks, but we'll never really know our true potential unless we are willing to pursue our goals, to turn the handle of the door that is before us, and take that step across the threshold.

I think about my own career. Going back to 1976, I began studying to become a minister. In 1977 I found out my Wife was having an affair. Our marriage ended, and so did my dream to become a minister. Three years later I remarried (We just celebrated 30 years) In 1982 I enrolled in college, and began studying music. I averaged a 4.0 average, but I sensed I was heading in the wrong direction. I dropped out of college for one semester to think and pray about my life, and I asked for open doors. The followinbg semester I re-enrolled and 4 years later I had earned my Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology. After graduation I worked in that capacity for approximately 5 years. I once again felt led in another direction, and I once again prayed for open doors, a leading, and in 1992 I enrolled in nursing school. My initial desire was Elementarry Education however, my Wife encouraged me to consider nursing. In 1996 I graduated from nursing school and successfully passed my State Boards. I have been a practicing RN now for almost 15 years. I am content, I feel as though I have found my place of service. If I feel the lead again, yes, I will turn the knob on the door that I find before me. As I look back, each change, each step was a building block. I say all this to encourage others to consider the opoprtuities when they present themselves, but it does require that one difficult step.
I like this a lot, Rick, and what you wrote is true....when opportunity knocks, let it in.
October 5th, 2010  
Love your photo and really love your captivating story. Never hurts to take a leap of faith.
October 5th, 2010  
this is great Rick- love the title and commentary as well as the lighting, and processing.
October 5th, 2010  
Cool shot
October 5th, 2010  
awesome lesson.....thanks for sharing your story to help others..even though you never became a minister, you definitely minister to others...
October 5th, 2010  
Nice shot and an even better story. This is a good reminder, it is so easy to just keep trudging along a path that may not even be heading in the right direction. Thanks Rick
October 5th, 2010  
Sue
May we all find the strength to trust in God to go where He leads us. Knock and the door shall be open, ask and it shall be given unto you..
October 5th, 2010  
Wonderful picture...and even more beautiful is all the different directions that your life has gone. It's difficult to know what is the best decision sometimes until you try...and just see what happens. Thank you for sharing this.
October 5th, 2010  
Amen to Sue's comment. I believe every door we walk through is an opportunity to teach us something about ourselves and God. Some doors may feel like a mistake but they still instruct if we're open. It sounds like each door was getting you ready to be a great RN. My guess is that as you're ministering to a persons physical needs you're also ministering to their soul.
October 5th, 2010  
Opportunities abound, if we can let ourselves see them. Very nice shot!
October 5th, 2010  
Funny how we can't see how we are led till we are on the other side of that door looking back. Your story is a reminder to us that we are all led, and all things always work together for the good of all things. I can tell that you are a very compasionate and understanding person (probably through your own experiences) and loved by all your patients. Thank you for sharing. That door is awesome. probably a photo in there somewhere, and processed brilliantly!
October 5th, 2010  
Rick....yet another photo, and essay that makes me step back, and ponder. I love this door, and the bricks. You processed it brilliantly! Thanks for sharing your story with us!
October 5th, 2010  
Wonderful words. Thanks for sharing, we've all had to take that one difficult step...it's not easy!!!!! Great photo:)
October 5th, 2010  
Your pictures and words are always inspirational. I'm very impressed.
I think of life as a journey, and sometimes it takes awhile to get the direction right.
October 5th, 2010  
nice photo Rick:)!
October 5th, 2010  
Again Rick you inspire.. Now I understand your passion a little, your pictures & your words are always gentle & yet full of strength

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well this one sure is!
Thank you for your inspiration.
October 5th, 2010  
That's sooo very true. Love your illustrated words (I think that is what I'm going to call it if you don't mind. I think you could do an illustrated book with what you've done here.)
October 5th, 2010  
Rick, this photo and today's story helps me know you better...and now I appreciate even more the *heart* behind your words.
October 5th, 2010  
Great photo to go with your inspiring story.
October 5th, 2010  
Nice shot...opportunities abound. Sometimes we must step back before we step forward.
October 5th, 2010  
Nice...always love reading your thought-provoking words.
October 5th, 2010  
Great shot, very cool shadows.
October 5th, 2010  
Great shot and you are the best writer!!!!
October 5th, 2010  
G O R G E O U S lighting rick!!! i L O V E the shadows .. a FAV! =) thanks also for your comment on my page rick =)
October 5th, 2010  
Beautiful shot and love coming to read you wise, inspirational words here daily :)
October 5th, 2010  
Lovely shot, I really like the shadow and lighting :)
October 5th, 2010  
You have an interesting life story. Each door was there for a reason. Sometime going through the door is the most difficult step.
October 5th, 2010  
Great shot and more importantly wonderful words.
October 5th, 2010  
What a journey. What a story. What a beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing with us.
October 5th, 2010  
Wonderful that you let the Lord lead you and that you're not afraid of change, wonderful to have a supportive wife, wonderful photo, wonderful words. Wonderful!
October 5th, 2010  
I marked this as a favorite, not only because it's such a beautiful photo, but because of the story that goes along with it. What a wonderful story you shared with us! We all need to be a little less afraid to open that door. I think we have all seen that door! On the other side of my door right now is a photography business. I have no courage or confidence in myself though to open it just yet.

Thank you for this one!
October 5th, 2010  
beautiful moody shot..... and love the accompanying text.....
October 5th, 2010  
powerful image
October 5th, 2010  
Very dramatic lighting - great shot!
October 5th, 2010  
love the drama here! great shot rick!
October 5th, 2010  
you make a simple door so dramatic with your story
October 5th, 2010  
just a stunning shot rick...
October 5th, 2010  
Great message and shot!
October 5th, 2010  
Love the shot & story x
October 5th, 2010  
Awesome photo and words again Rick, amazing...simply amazing....
October 5th, 2010  
I love this shot in black & white! :)
October 6th, 2010  
What a thought provoking and introspective caption you wrote...as you always do it so well! You would have made a wonderful minister, I believe, as you would have written marvelous sermons! Now your talent, still there, speaks to a world-wide audience. I happily look at my past and see the continuity of a thread that began with an interest in art back in high school. I've pursued it in a number of ways and directions, but I never lost that central drive. Ken teasingly calls these directions my "phases", and when one is done, I pick up another. There's always something new waiting, I agree!
October 6th, 2010  
Life certainly is a journey, and if we're not willing to at least test those door handles we'll just end up being left at home. Lovely photo and wonderful words to accompany!
October 6th, 2010  
Great mystery to this shot. I like the B&W with it, it really worked well.
October 6th, 2010  
beautiful shot, and such a compelling caption. wow, rick--i really loved hearing that testimony of how God has directed your path. as always, He uses our pain to grow us into the person He created us to be. and don't think for one minute that you didn't become that minister--the way you care for your residents, as well as the way you encourage and bless all of us here on 365 is most assuredly 'ministering'!!
October 7th, 2010  
I love the picture and definitely love the story more. Thank you for sharing this. You have had such a wonderful journey... very inspiring. God bless : )
October 7th, 2010  
i love shots of doors and windows :)
October 7th, 2010  
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