Close the Door Softly
Rev. Patrice Joy, MA,
Holy Fire Reiki II Master Instructor
What does it mean to close the door softly? It refers to letting things have a peaceful ending. This applies whether this is about a relationship, a job, or any affiliation. When we try to force things into a certain framework or outcome, they just don’t work. Sometimes someone wants a certain individual in their life so much that he/she tries to change this person, or manipulate them. Perhaps we think nagging, bullying or yelling will be an effective motivation to change.
When this doesn’t work, we can become judgmental of the one that we are holding onto and criticize them continually. We actually destroy another person’s health and happiness by trying to make them fit our needs for them. Yet we can do this only if they let us. Others can cause us stress and pain only to the extent that we let them. Are you slamming the door over and over again, rather than facing what needs to be done in a situation realistically. Instead, close the door softly.
No one can do anything destructive to someone unless that person permits it. Are you permitting someone to crush your spirit and joy by holding onto them and their controlling or neglectful treatment of you? Yes, neglect can be another way of abusing someone. If you are continually being abandoned physically or emotionally in a relationship, it hurts. You can close the door softly to the drama. This can be done internally by closing the door to avoid letting in the negativity.
Perhaps you are hanging by the threads that are left between you and another person, job or activity. Fear of starting over or fear of the unknown can keep you from making a change. Don’t stay in abusive environments, even if you are the one creating them! Has fear caused you to become a martyr and a victim? Change what you accept. Do what needs to be done. Go ahead, Close the door softly!
Maintaining inner balance is challenging, and requires a peaceful center to retreat within, especially when the environment is chaotic. Even though it is not easy to get started on a new response, here is a simple technique that works:
Find a quiet place to yourself, if only for a few minutes. Focus on your breath, drawing in on the inhale everything that blesses your life. Release everything that disturbs you on the exhale. Close the door softly to the negativity of your own negative thoughts and self-talk, as well as negativity from other people.
Close the door softly by changing your focus to the peace within instead of the problem. Here is a saying by an anonymous author which has motivated me to have the faith and courage necessary to take action: “When you have come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen; there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly”.
Close the door softly.