Open When You Want to Close

While taking a walk with my wife, Patricia,  in the beginning of our friendship many years ago, she said “why not try to open when you want to close.” 

While many of us tend to shut down when faced with challenges or vulnerabilities, choosing to open up instead can bring about numerous  benefits. 

One reason to learn to open when you want to close is the potential for deeper connections with others. By sharing our thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly, we invite others to understand us on a more profound level, leading to a more meaningful and authentic relationship. 

Moreover, choosing to open up instead of closing off can help us confront our fears and insecurities. It takes courage to be vulnerable, but in doing so, we allow ourselves the opportunity to grow and learn from our experiences. Opening up can be a powerful act of self-compassion, as it involves accepting ourselves fully, flaws and all.

Learning to open when we want to close also enables us to welcome new possibilities and opportunities into our lives. When we approach situations with an open heart and mind, we are better equipped to see the world in a different light and embrace change. Closing off, on the other hand, can limit our potential for growth and prevent us from fully experiencing all that life has to offer.

The decision to learn to open when you want to close is a courageous and empowering choice. By embracing vulnerability, cultivating deeper connections, and welcoming new opportunities, we can discover greater authenticity, resilience, and joy in our lives. 

Yoga and meditation are wonderful aids to this journey of opening by increasing our capacity to live in awareness rather than being trapped in the cage of our limited thoughts. 

So, next time you feel the urge to close off, consider the transformative power of opening up instead.