When One Door Closes, Another Opportunity Opens
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein
Like you, I am no stranger to challenges. I have faced many difficulties throughout my life. I have learned that I have the choice to look at these times in my life as challenges or opportunities. Just like learning from my mistakes, I try to learn what I can during times of personal or professional distress.
Often, there are lessons embedded in the story. Am I moving too fast? Maybe I should slow down. Am I too close to the situation, potentially enmeshed with a loved one or colleague? Maybe I need to schedule some time for greater self-reflection and do some boundary work. Have I had enough rest, movement, hydration, nutritious food? Maybe I should get a glass of water, take a walk, or have some protein—before I respond.
Life’s challenges are like an adventure. They could be road blocks, where I would be forced to stop and turn back. Yet, I like to think that when one door closes, another (usually better) door opens. I am thinking of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” which reminds us as caregivers that even the paths we never expected to take can lead to purpose, growth, and possibility. Like the traveler in the poem, caregivers make decisions without knowing exactly where they will lead, yet courage lies in choosing anyway. The caregiving journey—often the “road less traveled”—cultivates deep empathy, resilience, and wisdom that shape us in meaningful ways. And over time, the small choices we make each day can truly “make all the difference” in the lives of those we support.
3 TOOLS FOR CULTIVATING POSSIBILITY THINKING:
Ask yourself a “What if there’s another way?” question. Pause in moments of stress and gently ask, “What if there’s a different way to approach this?” or “What small step could help right now?” This simple question interrupts overwhelm and opens the door to new options, creativity, and hope.
Practice small-step goal setting. Choose one tiny, achievable action each day—sending an email, asking for help, taking a short break, or creating a simple plan. Small steps like these build momentum, reinforce our sense of agency, and help us see progress even in difficult times.
Notice and celebrate micro-wins. Intentionally recognize moments when something went better than expected, when we handled a challenge well, or when we felt even a little lighter. Naming these wins reinforces possibility thinking by reminding us that positive shifts are happening, even if they’re small.
Our caregiving journey may be the road we didn’t expect to walk. But as we take each step—imperfectly, courageously—we discover strengths we didn’t know we had and possibilities we couldn’t have imagined. And in the end, this road, with its twists and uncertainties, may lead us to deeper compassion, connection, and purpose. And that can make all the difference.