I’m sitting on the back porch of my home. Locked out. In a fiasco of keys I didn’t end up with one today. Now I must wait until my brother returns with a set.
Luckily paper and pen are often my savior (I’m never without) and thus I’m able to record some of my thoughts.
What are some ways we’re “locked out” in life?
- Relationships. It takes at least two for a relationship to exist. Sometimes in relationships you’d like to pursue or get to know another, but it just doesn’t seem to work out. You’re locked out and without a proper key.
- Google Adsense. I know many who have been “locked out” of this program and thus feel sadness for missing out on a money making opportunity.
- Cars and homes. We’ve all experienced the sickening feeling of locking keys in a car. Well, most have. It seems your life stands still for a moment when this happens. Then the sheepish shame sets in. You are officially locked out.
- Opportunity. This occurs almost daily. Whether we’re sleeping through alarms, not getting that pay raise or being rejected after an interview; the times we’re locked out of opportunities will be many in this life.
- Health. Although we live “within” our bodies it sometimes feels as if we’re “locked out.” Our health might bring us to the verge of tears when hearing a diagnosis for the first time and thus we are locked out.
- Websites. Ever forgotten your password for a website login? I hate when that happens. You got through that entire reclaiming process of suggesting your email or username. It sucks.
There are lots of ways to be locked out in life. It occurs everywhere.
Keys don’t always fit.
My mind turns to the movie, “The Shawshank Redemption,” as an example. The main character is locked in a prison cell for years; all due to a crime he claims he didn’t commit.
Now, what do we do when we’re locked out? For each person it’s different.
- Scream
- Cry
- Find comfort in friends
- Smile
- React with patience
- Rage & temper tantrums
What’s the best way to interact?
I’d tell you no decibel of shouting will have the power necessary to open a locked door.
As for me, in this moment, I’m going to use this gift of time given to me to write what I’ve just written.
I know my brother will arrive in due time, and thus, unlock the door.
Locked door photo by M.Markus. If you’re looking for ways to “unlock doors in life,” I’d recommend visiting my good friend Stuart Mills at his blog, Unlock The Door.
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"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Christian, that’s very kind of you to mention me at the end, means a lot.
We all have different ways that we react to obstacles – some of us do indeed cry and scream, and moan that the world is unjust.
But others among us take a different view. They either wait until the ‘door is unlocked’ again, or they try and smash the obstacle down.
I don’t recommend you breaking the door in Christian, but waiting was the best solution here
Thanks my friend
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September 15, 2011 at 6:59 pm
You are indeed welcome Stuart. You deserve it! You’re doing wonderful things with your blog, and changing lives in the process. I admire that.
Twitter: JasonEng_
September 15, 2011 at 5:49 am
I love how you always bring reality back into the picture, making me take a step back from everything just to think and consider how I do things. It’s great! Thanks for sharing.
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September 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm
I’m so glad you consider this post helpful Jason. When I have specific people in mind who might benefit from a blog post, then it seems to be easier to write in such a way.
Very nice way to look at this! BTW, what is a pen and paper?
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September 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm
You don’t use pen and paper any longer? Come on, we can’t lose the art of penmanship!
I like the challenge of being locked out. It’s a good opportunity to investigate new ways of getting into things.
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September 15, 2011 at 7:01 pm
What do you use most to unlock those doors David?
I’ve been locked out before, an I imagine I’ll be again in the future. Luckily I have a library near my home and they let me go there and read the books, when I get locked out without anything but my wallet, I just go there and read books.
I liked how you used the opportunity to reflect on life.
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September 15, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Libraries are spectacular places. Growing up, as a little boy, I’m pretty sure the older librarian women were my closest friends. Recommending good books, being kind and sharing with me their intense knowledge of many subjects. Just loved that!
Twitter: harleenas
September 15, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Like the way you put across your point Christian, when you were literally locked out (or weren’t you?)!
Yes indeed, all of us are locked out in some form or the other, though that is the real testing time for us, to see how much we are able to cope with the situation. And each one of us have to find our own keys to unlock ourselves to get out of the situation.
Thanks for sharing
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September 16, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I was literally locked out. Made the situation and blog post that much more poignant for me.
It seems that if we don’t cope well, or freak out, we can often lock even more doors in life. Agree?
Oh, Christian. What an excellent way to work through a frustrating situation like being locked out of your home! I’ve locked myself out of my car a few times, and it was never fun.
You give us great points to ponder. Yes, we may miss an opportunity and feel rejected at the time. I must say, it’s not easy to react with patience at the time, but reacting badly only magnifies the problem.
Thanks for the post!
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September 16, 2011 at 12:59 pm
You’re welcome Allyson. Glad you read, and listened. I hate getting locked out of a car. It’s just so frustrating, defeating and awful. What’s worse is when you can see the key, sitting right there in the car – and you’re powerless to do anything but break down the window, or wait for your locksmith to come.
Haven’t got locked out for a few years, but i’m always prepared to break down the door
)
Easy to fix problem, compared with the other “locked out” situations you mention.
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September 16, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I’d much rather be locked out of home or car versus the other problems I’ve mentioned. Although I’ve experienced a few “locked out” situations myself. We all do, right?
The frustrating times are when you know you have the right key, if only you could get to it quick enough!
Right, there are no lights on the street and you can’t see the keyhole that well
)
I’ll have to remember to drink less next time.
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September 19, 2011 at 1:55 am
Certainly!
Twitter: janetcallaway
September 17, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Christian, aloha. Loved the way you developed this thought. To me the best way to unlock, is to release and let go. It is amazing how many things open when you release.
What I do it if I am “locked out” is to ask myself questions about it and then think about it will be like when I am not “locked out.” One of the important questions to ask myself is “do I really care if I am locked out?”
Terrific post, Christian, thanks so much.
Wishing you a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Sunday. Until next time, aloha. Janet
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September 18, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Releasing. Love the way you put that Janet. I still have many things I need to “release” in my life.
You’ve got such a great way at looking at these different situations. Do I really care if I’m locked out? Well, in the situation I was in – not at all! Something really tremendous and great came from the experience.
Thanks for sharing Janet!