tagged “D” for DOORS
OPEN WIDE AND LET US IN
When we open all the doors that divide us by
Culture
Religion
Sex
And race
We will truly find
Peace and security
Joy and happiness
In its’ place.
When we are open
And fully care
We receive the best
There is to share.
Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s I encountered many doors in my life.
Some were opened to opportunities. Others closed by fear, ignorance, jealousy, bitterness and strife.
I was taught never to be stopped by any closed door. There is always an open window that would provide even more.
So as I travel in my retirement years, with camera in hand, I choose to search out the beauty of life behind the doors that maybe closed.
I choose to look for the doors and the windows that are open. To share with you all the wonder of things that lay before and around us as seen through the focus lens of my camera.
Open wide
And
Let us in.
The doors featured are taken of The Nationality Classrooms located inside the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus.
Visit Frickr Comments to see other entries to tagged “D” challenge here.
PS. Trying to win a trip to Australia with the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Wish me luck.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Francine In Retirement 
great words francine … so glad you were not stopped by closed doors .. you are an inspiration!
dadirri7 - January 22, 2013 at 5:13 am |
Thank you, I’m encouraged and appreciate your words. Wishing you a great day.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 8:00 am |
doors divide …
frizztext - January 22, 2013 at 6:29 am |
They can, but when we strive to open them, they can lead us to unity.
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 8:02 am |
Very inspiring and yes, I wish you luck!
TBM - January 22, 2013 at 7:15 am |
Thank you, we thrive on the inspiration of each other.
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 8:03 am |
You have captured some beautiful doors Francine.
Colline - January 22, 2013 at 7:15 am |
Thank you Colline. You open doors everyday for your students.
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 8:04 am |
And I like to think that they enjoy the discovery and adventure 🙂
Colline - January 22, 2013 at 11:55 am
Francine these doors are wonderful and with your words make a great post . What an architectural masterpiece The Cathedral of Learning is ! It was eye opening clicking on your links to see all those classrooms built to be an historic example from the different countries. Thanks 🙂
poppytump - January 22, 2013 at 7:50 am |
Isn’t it wonderful how open doors (notice these are all open) can introduce us to cultures, races and religions that broaden our understanding and increase our knowledge for the good of all.
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 8:08 am |
Francine…what a blessing that would be to get tickets to her show. SO much fun. Keep us informed. Blessings for the day.
Pride in Photos Photography - January 22, 2013 at 9:07 am |
It would be a double blessing. Tickets to show and trip to Australia.
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 9:13 am |
Your post makes me wonder if the “doors” I imagine in real life have some beauty I’m to consider. Thanks for the interesting question. Good luck on winning the trip!
Susan Barrett Kelly - January 22, 2013 at 9:22 am |
Thank you Susan. I appreciate your stopping by. It’s good for us to keep our eyes opened to see beauty we may be missing, no matter how small. When seen it can only add to our life rather than distract. Have a blessed week ahead.
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 1:17 pm |
Great selection of doors, Francine, and applause for the sentiments.
restlessjo - January 22, 2013 at 10:40 am |
Thanks you Jo, I value your opinions.
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 1:18 pm |
Beautiful doors!
wordsfromanneli - January 22, 2013 at 11:05 am |
What a wonderful post…. open the door! Here I come!
Life in the 50's and beyond... - January 22, 2013 at 12:34 pm |
Thank you! Very free doors are closed to one with an open heart. I feel yours. You will be always welcomed wherever you go. Be Blessed!
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 1:23 pm |
Francine, what a fabulous post!!!!!!! I was born in 1950 in Memphis, TN, my dad’s home, but he was recalled for the Korean War and my mom and I stayed in Memphis. I moved around a lot and never really “claimed” Memphis as my home. With that said, after my dad got back from Korea, we were stationed at an AFB outside of Nashville and I also lived in North Carolina. My point (I will get there – honest – GRIN) is my formative years were spent in the South. It is still in my memory how my mother would guide me to the “CORRECT” water fountain or the “CORRECT” bathroom. As a young child, I was baffled by this. I did not understand – I just thought people were people so as you can see, I started questioning our society and its strange ways at a VERY young age. In 1964 (I was 14) and we moved to Bangkok, Thailand and what an experience that was. I attended an international school with people from 40+ different countries and came to the realization that our way of life was WAY short of perfect. The odd part was that seldom did I feel discrimination even though I was now a minority. The Thai people are mostly Buddhist and they are wonderful people with constant smiles. This made an impact on me that was so strong, I still feel it today. This experience lead me to be an advocate for equality and human rights before it was “cool,” if you get my drift. It’s hard to put a cogent response together in a short space but even today, there are times when I visit my own family in the south and come away disgusted at the way these people speak of minorities. To make this an even bigger story, my wife was from Georgia and her dad was also military, so she experienced a very similar life to mine and she also is troubled by her family and their ways. I could write a dissertation on this topic but I’ll stop here. I often think – what would I be like if I had stayed in the south? Would I be prejudiced? I really do not know the answer but I DO know that prejudice and discrimination are VERY UGLY and I am so glad I had the experiences I had to reinforce those feelings. As usual, thank you so much for this post – they are always good but this one is especially moving and it SPEAKS to me. If only more people could read this. Francine, YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MIND AND HEART!
louisva - January 22, 2013 at 1:18 pm |
It is so heartwarming to read your testimony. We can often be the product of negative influences that surrounds us. When our hearts reject the negative forces it directs and guides us to express a more positive and loving attitude that is then open to receive the truth of the beauty that can be found in each one of us. In a way it is like you become what you harbor within. The Bible says, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 Thank you for sharing your experience, I pray your words fall of accepting ears that penetrate into receiving hearts.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 1:40 pm |
Thank you for your kind words. No human is perfect but I do try to live my life while always keeping morality in mind. I would love to be able to meet you and talk face to face but that is not in the cards at this time. Travelling is very difficult for me because of an illness. I do go to a specialist in California every 90 days and it takes me a week to recoup! This was one of the top posts I have ever read.
louisva - January 22, 2013 at 5:44 pm |
I wish someone had taught me the same lesson!
Lucid Gypsy - January 22, 2013 at 1:50 pm |
Beautiful set of doors Francine! And a beautiful message 🙂
Madhu - January 22, 2013 at 4:04 pm |
Thanks Madhu!
fgassette - January 22, 2013 at 4:20 pm |
Well said, Francine, and your photos are perfect for your words.
ChgoJohn - January 22, 2013 at 6:21 pm |
Great post, Francine. I checked out the Nationality Classrooms–beautiful and inspiring. Wish they would have had a Native American “classroom” where everyone sits in a circle on the ground. haha.
Good luck on the trip to Oz. If you win, make sure you check in with fellow Bloggers for Peace Dianne Grey and Bodhisattvaintraining. You might even want to tell Ellen about the movement. Yay.
{{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Kozo - January 22, 2013 at 10:08 pm |
Incredible post! And wonderful thoughts to ponder.
Angeline M - January 22, 2013 at 10:32 pm |
What a beautiful collection of doors. And I like your message a whole lot.
Pat - January 23, 2013 at 8:12 pm |
Fantastic post, Francine. Good luck with the competition. 🙂
adinparadise - January 24, 2013 at 6:12 pm |