When a road is under repair, a notice bearing the
words “Road Closed” is put up to warn unwary
travellers. But this does not mean that the path to
one’s destination is irrevocably barred. There are
always other highways and by-ways—it is just a
question of looking around for them. Sometimes
one can reach one’s destination just as well by zigzagging
through narrow lanes and alley-ways. The
only difference is that this takes somewhat longer,
and one has to keep one’s wits about one to
negotiate narrower roadways and sharper turnings.
But arrive one finally does.
Life’s journey is very often like this. One would like
to proceed by broad straight routes, moving fast
and reaching one’s goal in the most direct possible
way. But, so often such roads are blocked, and
achieving success begins to seem a very difficult
matter. But for every major route which is blocked,
there are always several minor roads which are
open. It is just a question of having to go about
things in a roundabout way. This is particularly
true if you meet with an adversary and feel that you
are unable to confront him head-on. It is then that
you must find some indirect means of dealing with
him. Often compromise or adjustment is the best
solution.
When in one particular field there seems to be a
discouraging lack of opportunities, one can
certainly search for and find opportunities in some
other field. When you fail to find a place for
yourself in the front row, you can always make do
with one in the rear, until a place up ahead finally
falls vacant for you. When you cannot find people
to extend a helping hand to you, press on fearlessly
and strike out on your own. When you need things
from people to help you on in life and no one seems
ready to be generous, stop thinking of how
deprived you are and try instead to earn God’s
blessings.
For every closed door, there is always another
which is open—but only to those who have the eyes
to see it, and the courage to march through it.
--Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
( Ref - The Moral Vision)
