I have to admit that when I first saw the drawings for December’s concept, all that ran through my mind was the jingle for “Mystery Date”.  Remember that old game?  “Open the door for your Mystery Date…”

As I thought about Blessings, though, I am reminded of so many doors that are available to me in this world.  Like the old Advent calendar I used to have with my children every holiday season, these doors were opened each week of the advent season with blessings behind each one.  All we have to do is open the door to let them in!

Doors that I would like to open in 2013: first, my heart.  I want to find the courage to open up to people and let them into my life.  I have been avoiding that for awhile as I have been working to try to get myself together.  I think I am ready to open that door now.  Maybe I won’t FLING it open, but just opening it bit by bit will be a start.   It has been a year and a half since I ended my relationship, and I am ready to allow a new one in if a knock comes at that door.  That is a blessing that I will welcome.

I also want to open my eyes more and take in more of the beauty around me.  Shutting myself away from the world for six months also closed off the beauty that I could have appreciated better.  I resolve to bring my camera back out into the light and go look at the world around me.   That is a blessing that I will welcome.

Opening my ears and listening closer to others is something else I will be doing.  As I learned in the month of humility, it’s not all about me.  I do need to be a better listener, and that will bring blessings as well.

My fourth door is the mind.  Expanding my knowledge and experience will broaden my mind, bringing me blessings that I have yet to even fathom.  There’s a lot for me to learn, and with each passing day, I give up that opportunity if I don’t open the door.  This, too, is a blessing I welcome.

Another way to look at this decor of doors is in a quote from Joseph Campbell: “When you follow your bliss…doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn’t be a door for anyone else.”  I have always loved those words, and as I looked at these doors this year, I am reminded of all the blessings that have entered into my life, and all those yet to come I am willing to allow in!