When One Door Closes, Another One Opens.

We’ve all heard the saying, “When one door closes, another one opens.” I’ve mentioned this a lot in my tweets from time to time. It’s a phrase that is often used to encourage people to keep trying and not give up, even when faced with disappointment or failure. 

But have you ever stopped to think about the phrase’s true meaning or if there is anything more profound to it? Well, that’s what I’ll try to discuss in this article:

Meaning of the Phrase, “When one door closes, another one opens.”

The quick explanation is that when one opportunity or phase in life ends, it creates space for new opportunities and phases to begin. But as humans, we can sometimes be too narrow-minded to notice the new opportunities that come our way.

When one door closes, it means that an opportunity or phase in life has come to an end. This could be anything from a job opportunity that didn’t work out to the end of a relationship. It’s a natural part of life – things come and go, and we must learn to adapt and move on. 

But Why Does Another Door Open When One Closes?

The idea is that every ending is also a new beginning. When one door closes, it creates space for new opportunities and phases to begin. This aligns with the laws of the universe, which strive for equilibrium and a state of maximal entropy. Essentially, if something disrupts the equilibrium – like a door closing – the natural response is to reestablish balance by opening new doors.

However, it is equally important to remember that this doesn’t just happen automatically. As humans, we have the power to take action and seek out new opportunities.

Once a new opportunity comes forward, we must be smart enough to take action towards grabbing it with both hands instead of looking back at the things that we just lost.

The full quote from Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, is: 

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” 

This highlights the importance of not getting too caught up in the past and missing out on the present. It’s natural to feel disappointment or resistance when faced with change, but it’s important to remember that change can also bring new opportunities for growth and development.

Famous Examples

Many successful people have experienced setbacks and failures, but rather than giving up, they used these experiences as learning opportunities and moved forward. Some prime examples would include:

Thomas Edison: 

Edison is famous for his many inventions, including the light bulb and the phonograph, but he also faced many setbacks and failures in his career. He famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” This attitude of perseverance and determination ultimately led to his success.

Walt Disney: 

Disney is known for creating some of the most beloved characters and stories of all time, but he faced many failures and setbacks before achieving success. He was fired from a newspaper job for “lacking imagination,” and his first animation company went bankrupt. However, Disney didn’t let these closed doors hold him back and instead used them as opportunities to try something new and eventually create the Disney empire we know today.

J.K. Rowling:

J.K. Rowling is the author of the hugely successful Harry Potter series, but she didn’t always have it easy. Before she found success as a writer, she struggled with poverty and depression. She was even rejected by multiple publishers before finally getting her break. But she didn’t let those rejections hold her back – she kept writing and eventually found success.

Similar Phrases

There are a few other notable people who have written similar phrases to “when one door closes, another one opens.” 

Hellen Keller wrote in both her book We Bereaved in 1929 and The Open Door in 1957: 

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

Johann P.F. Richter, also known as Jean-Paul, wrote in the late 18th and early 19th century: 

“When one door closes, another always opens, but we usually look so long, so intently and so sorrowfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened.” 

And in his famous novel Don Quixote, published in 1605, Miguel de Cervantes wrote: 

“When one door is shut, another is opened.”

These similar phrases emphasize the idea that when one opportunity or phase in life ends, it creates space for new opportunities and phases to begin and that it’s essential to keep an open mind and be willing to try something new.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the phrase “when one door closes, another one opens” encourages us to keep trying and not give up, even when faced with disappointment or failure. 

It reminds us that every ending is a new beginning and that new opportunities can arise when we least expect them. It’s all about staying positive, keeping an open mind, and taking action. 

The next time you encounter a closed door, remember that it may be an opportunity to try something new and open up a whole new world of possibilities. Don’t get stuck looking at the closed door – look for the open ones and walk through them with confidence and determination. 

With the right attitude and determination, you, too, can find success and happiness.