When One Door Closes…
- Ross Berry
- 28 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Another Door Opens!
How many times in your life have you had the experience of disappointment. You were headed in what you thought was a good direction. There was opportunity ahead – and then – without warning – the door abruptly closed on that wonderful new opportunity. How did you feel – how did you react? You were probably saddened, maybe somewhat depressed. Probably felt a bit like a victim. We’ve all experience this.
However, there is another way. A better way. And it starts with the belief – in fact the certainty in knowing that when one door closes, another door opens. Moreover, that new door offers opportunity far superior to the door that just closed. And beyond that, you can be superbly comforted in knowing that had the first door not closed, this new door never would have been made available to you. Funny how the world works. You simply need to believe. Believe deeply – with full faith in the positive outcome – and yes, it will all work out!
Sometimes it helps to look back and realize that some of the best things in life have come from what, at first, seemed like failure or rejection. Think about J.K. Rowling—before the fame and fortune, she faced multiple rejections from publishers who didn’t believe her story about a young wizard would ever sell. Then, one publisher finally took a chance, and the world was introduced to Harry Potter. If all those earlier doors hadn’t closed, perhaps she would never have found the right one that led to global success and personal fulfillment.
In everyday life, this truth plays out in smaller but equally powerful ways. Maybe you didn’t get the job you wanted or the relationship you hoped would last. It stings, but then something surprising happens—you meet someone new, discover a new interest, or end up down a career path that fits you better than you ever imagined. A friend of mine was laid off from her corporate job, devastated at first. Yet that “ending” gave her the courage to start her own small bakery business. Today, she’s thriving, happier than ever, and working on her own terms. That closed door turned out to be her greatest blessing.
The hardest part is trusting the process while you’re still standing in the hallway between closed and open doors. It can feel like limbo—uncertain, uncomfortable, and sometimes lonely. But that’s where the magic happens, quietly and invisibly, as life rearranges itself to bring you to the right next step. It might take weeks, months, or even years, but if you keep your heart open and your outlook positive, that next door always reveals itself at just the right time.
The next time you find a door slamming shut in your face, pause before you sink into disappointment. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that there’s meaning in this redirection, and look forward with gratitude and grace. Life tends to guide us toward what’s meant for us—one closed door at a time. And when that new door opens, you’ll smile and think, “Ah, now I see why the first one had to close.”
So, embrace the unexpected twists and turns. When faced with a closed door, remember it’s not the end—just a hidden invitation to something even better. Trust in the journey, keep your spirit open, and let optimism lead the way. Sometimes, the best chapters in our story begin just when we think one is over—because every ending is just the start of a new adventure.
From Setback to Breakthrough: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Hedy Lamarr, known in Hollywood for her beauty and acting talent, faced more than a few closed doors in her career. Early on, she was pigeonholed in glamorous roles, never truly appreciated for her intelligence or curiosity. Despite the discouragement, she kept tinkering away at inventions in her spare time, dreaming bigger than Hollywood could imagine. When the entertainment industry ignored her efforts to be taken seriously as an inventor, it was a clear door slammed shut.
Instead of giving up, Lamarr redirected her energy toward solving real problems. During World War II, she developed a groundbreaking frequency-hopping technology to secure radio-controlled torpedoes—an invention no one expected from a movie star. At first, the patent went unrecognized and unused, yet Lamarr remained optimistic about its future impact.
Her tenacity paid off. Decades later, her idea became the foundation for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and modern cellular networks. Now celebrated as much for her genius as her glamour, Hedy’s story proves that disappointment is often a detour to greater success. Every time a door closed, she pushed on with conviction, ultimately changing technology forever.
So, next time life diverts you from your “main stage,” remember Hedy Lamarr. Sometimes, your true calling isn’t behind the door you first try to open—it’s waiting down the hall, where few have looked.
Comeback Kid in Cleats: Kurt Warner’s NFL Journey
Kurt Warner’s path to football greatness was anything but straightforward. Undrafted after college, he found himself working in a grocery store in Iowa, stacking shelves instead of throwing touchdowns. His NFL dream seemed further away every day—a classic case of the door slamming shut on opportunity. Most would have given up, but Warner never stopped believing another door would open.
When a roster spot finally came—first in the Arena Football League and then as a backup in the NFL—Warner treated every new chance like gold. His optimism paid off: a string of injuries on the St. Louis Rams handed him the starting quarterback job. Suddenly, Warner led his team to a Super Bowl victory and became one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history.
The best part? Warner’s story is a shining example for anyone in New Hampshire rooting for their next big break, especially those who feel far removed from the spotlight. With unwavering belief and a positive outlook, he turned setbacks into springboards for success.
No matter where you start—even the frozen fields of the Northeast!—confidence in the next opportunity is the game-changer. Warner’s legacy is proof: sometimes, the door that opens looks nothing like the one you first tried.
The Granite Resolve: John H. Sununu’s Political Journey
Former Governor John H. Sununu, one of New Hampshire’s most prominent political figures, faced his share of closed doors. A scientist by training, Governor Sununu first tried to make a difference through engineering and business but ultimately felt pulled toward public service. He started out with a success – ‘Door Opened’ – a successful run for State Representative from District 5 in 1972, serving from 1973 to 1975.
However, from there on, things got a bit bleak. Finding a series of successive ‘Closed Doors.’
In 1974 and again in 1976, he ran for New Hampshire State Senate (District 22) but lost both times in the general election to Delbert F. Downing.
In 1978, he ran for Executive Council (District 3) and won the Republican primary but lost in the general election to Dudley Dudley.
In 1980, Sununu ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate but was defeated by Warren B. Rudman.
These repeated setbacks did not deter him; instead, they set the stage for his eventual victory as Governor in 1982, demonstrating his resilience and faith in finding another, better door to open. After these initial setbacks in early campaigns, he kept pressing on with a belief that another, better opportunity lay ahead.
That persistence continued to pay off - later serving as White House Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush.
His story resonates across the Granite State and beyond: Obstacles are temporary, but resilience is forever. Sununu’s unwavering optimism and certainty in new possibilities are a blueprint for lasting success, both in politics and everyday life.
So, if you’re stuck at a closed door, remember John H. Sununu’s journey. Sometimes, the next chapter is bigger and brighter than you ever imagined—especially in New Hampshire, where determination opens more doors than luck ever could.
Second Chances in the Startup Lane: Sara Blakely’s Spanx Story
Sara Blakely’s rise as a business powerhouse didn’t start with open doors—it began with rejection. After failing repeatedly at law school and with other business ideas, she found herself selling fax machines door-to-door in Florida. She dreamed of a product to simplify women’s fashion struggles, but every investor she approached brushed her off, slamming the door on her vision.
But Blakely carried on, refusing to let doubt creep in. She prototyped Spanx herself, kept hustling, and finally convinced a department store buyer to give her a shot. That single breakthrough led to the launch of a multi-billion dollar business. Today, Blakely’s optimism and faith in the next open door have made her one of the world’s most celebrated entrepreneurs—and a mentor to others facing setbacks.
Her story is proof for every aspiring business mind in Florida, New Hampshire and beyond: rejection isn’t the end, it’s an invitation to find a new, even better path. In the world of entrepreneurship, believing in the next opportunity isn’t just hopeful—it’s essential.
Take it from Sara Blakely—the door might seem closed now, but with persistence and optimism, the gateway to your greatest success could open at any moment.
Positive Profile of the Week: ‘The Rock’
This week we are delighted to highlight Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. It turns out that he is an excellent example of someone well-known in the U.S. whose journey is marked by closed doors, perseverance, and incredible success—even if many don’t know the full story of his early setbacks.
Many people see Dwayne Johnson as a Hollywood superstar and global icon, but his path was filled with disappointment at the start. Johnson dreamed of playing in the NFL, but after a solid college football career at the University of Miami, he wasn’t drafted and was soon cut by the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. Suddenly, the door to his football dream slammed shut, leaving him devastated with just seven dollars in his pocket and no clear path forward. Most would have given up or settled for less, but Johnson refused to let that be the end of his story.
With steely optimism and relentless work ethic, he turned to professional wrestling, following in his family’s footsteps but still facing skepticism and rejection. His early wrestling persona, Rocky Maivia, was met with boos and indifference by fans. Rather than give up, Johnson reinvented himself as “The Rock”—embracing authenticity, humor, and boldness. This change was the open door he needed; fans loved him, and he quickly rose to become one of the most charismatic and popular superstars in WWE history.
Never content to rest, Johnson took a leap of faith into acting, a move that plenty of athletes have tried and failed. He was told there was no place for him in Hollywood and that no one would take a wrestler seriously. But he took every small role that came along, worked with positivity and discipline, and won audiences over with his charm and determination. Today, he’s among the highest-paid actors in the world, loved for his talent, work ethic, generosity, and upbeat spirit.
Johnson loves to remind others that it’s not the closed door that defines you—it’s how you choose to respond, believe, and keep pushing forward. Every setback in his life has been met with optimism, humility, and hard work. His story shows that persistence and faith in the next opportunity can turn loss into success, and even the scariest closed doors can lead to a future you never dreamed possible.
Quote of the Week: When One Door Closes…
"When one door closes another door 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." — Alexander Graham Bell