“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.”
–John Barrymore
“Doors of Ireland” Art Print
Folks in the door industry seldom see doors as metaphors. We see exterior and interior doors. Hollow metal, wood and fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP) flush doors. Arched doors and revolving doors. There are so many kinds of doors that it isn’t surprising that doors’ architectural functions, for security, safety, aesthetics, convenience and privacy, dwarf their symbolic significance for us.
Strangely, even the Ancient Romans knew of doors’ symbolic and spiritual significance, as one of their most popular gods was Janus. Perhaps door industry professionals know something about Roman mythology others don’t, as we professionals take pleasure in the beauty of doors. We adorn our offices with artwork featuring castle doors, collages of colorful doors, framed photos of weather-beaten doors, and arty shots of sleek, shiny or uniquely shaped doors.
Reflecting on a picturesque door, even if it’s a door picture hanging in a cluttered, or even chaotic office, can create the kind of happiness that John Barrymore referred to in his quote, “Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.” It is the kind of happiness that comes, not from getting something we wanted, but rather from recognizing a pleasure in something we already have. When we open our minds to see the loveliness of doors, to wonder what is on the other side of the door, to visualize the surroundings of the artwork opening, and also forget, for a moment, the daily details of our dealings with doors, happiness may sneak in and make us smile.
Unexpected joy, that catches us off-guard, is most memorable, and pleasurable. Little surprises, sudden insights, and unanticipated good news produce a degree of personal happiness that money can’t buy. We know that leaving most doors open in the literal sense is neither practical nor responsible. But in figurative language, “leaving doors open” equates to “not closing ourselves off.”
Take time to contemplate beauty. Be receptive to new ideas, vulnerable to possibilities. Remember your dreams. Happiness will sneak in, bringing delight to your day!
Learn about Locks as Art Learn about Doors as Art
Blog by Kathi Bradbury Frelk. Although I’m not an expert on happiness, I do like to contemplate door industry-related words and phrases, and have a regular feature in the Anderson Lock Gazette newsletter originally titled, “Locks in Literature,” but changed in a recent issue to “Locks in Lyrics.” This inDoors Blog frequently features doors as art!