Doors to the Future

If you were presented these three doors to your future, which would you choose?

Doors to His Future

Mary Bradley McCauley

©1989

The young man stood before three massive doors to life, uncertain which to choose. Neatly dressed to proclaim his stature and attitude, he was timid about stepping through any of the portals to his future.

Questions arbitrarily raced through his mind. Feelings of uncertainty hampered his movements. Vacillating between confidence and temerity, he breathed deeply and scrutinized the descriptive passages emblazoned on each door.

“Should you enter here,” the first door’s message proclaimed, “you will find a path without distinction, smooth, with no obstacles to hinder the way, unencumbered by heavy footprints of those burdened with great loads.

This path leads to the ship of smooth sailing. This ship of life barely moves in calm waters. There are no ripples or waves to move it along as it floats aimlessly towards an obscure shore. This is the door for one without purpose or design. It leads nowhere and offers little but the security of nothingness.”

The young man watched as countless men and women opened the door without glancing at the other two. His timid nature urged him to follow the others, cajoled him to hurry.

“You are a fool if you let the ship sail without you,” his nature of self-contentment spoke firmly. “Enter this door, and we can live a life of ease, without stress.”

“Do not be hasty,” his inner sense of judgment advised, pushing him toward the second door. “A person who chooses a path without viewing the alternatives will never know what experiences might be available.”

The young man heeded, listening to the sense of judgment, and moved to the second door.

“Enter here,” the message proclaimed, “if you are prepared to play the game.

This is the path that leads to splendor, beckoning to all in spite of gender.

It offers a life hard to resist, with games of chance and roads that twist.

Mountains that peak, steep valleys below,

 highways that lead to cities that glow.

You’ll walk this path with sleight of hand,

 outfoxing another’s claim to this land.

There are no rules, except of might; 

no one cares if you’re wrong or right.

It’s only the fittest who indeed survive, 

that’s financially fit, I must describe.

Great riches and fame form this sod, 

this is the land where money is the god.”

He stepped back, recoiled by an image of horror when his voice of greed spoke emphatically. “Do not retreat! Stop! Think! You know the importance of money. Without if doors are closed, and barriers abide. Once you obtain wealth, you can change the rules, but you can’t do anything if you’re poor.”

He contemplated the thoughts as they sifted through his screen of reason. It was easy to remember how difficult things had been when he was poor. He had struggled for everything, while those endowed with wealth seemed to sail smoothly along. He worked hard to get to this point in life. Surely it was time to proclaim his due. 

Yes, he would be able to change the rules once he was wealthy. He would be able to undo any wrongs he might have to do along the way. He might have to sacrifice his principles or look the other way while others did, but the end would justify the means.

He began to advance towards the door of wealth when he glanced at the third door. He felt a magnetic tug attracting him with force. His sense of judgment prodded him, speaking softly.

“Be not hasty. The door you choose now will close behind you, and you will be forced to follow that road for the rest of your life. Select carefully. Your destiny is determined by your decision.”

The young man reluctantly moved to the third door. As he moved closer to read the proclamation posted on the door, he felt a stirring within. Something inside him seemed to be moving, propelling him forward.

“This is the doorway to a future unknown,” the proclamation was handwritten. “Your entrance here might lead to death and destruction, darkness and doom, or glory and goodness, success and fulfillment. It depends on you, on what you expect from life, what you give, and how you view yourself and others. 

This is the path to a future that only you can determine by your attitude, choices, and willingness to succeed. You can obtain wealth if that is your goal or success in a particular field of endeavor. Along this path you are the determiner, you set the rules, you reap the rewards. Life is what you make it.”

It was time for the young man to make his decision. The ship of smooth sailing was about to leave the port. The doorway to wealth was slowly closing.

“What shall I do?” he asked his spirit of judgment. “I cannot decide.”

“What is it you want from life?” the Spirit asked.

The young man was thoughtful. He knew he would certainly like a life of smooth sailing where he would never have to make decisions. Riches tempted him, but he wasn’t sure he would enjoy the battle to proclaim what was his due.

“My judgment is weak,” he called out, “I’m not sure what I want from life.”

Within an instant of his cry, a force picked him up and flew him beyond the doorways where he could view the other sides.

Below he saw a ship of smooth sailing listing along. The faces of the people on board were emotionless. Everything was quiet. No joy, no sorrow, just bland, empty stares.

He looked down on the path of wealth. The people were grasping relentlessly at everything within reach. On the mountains of gold, climbers slipped and fell, tumbling everything beneath them as they grasped for a hold. Those on top stomped on the hands of any who were about to reach the summit. There was only room for a few at the top.

Finally, he was given a view of the third pathway. Here he saw good and bad, rich and poor. He observed the faces of those moving through their chosen lives. He recalled the words on the proclamation. “Life is what you make it.”

He heard words from the force that was holding him beyond the doorways. “What you expect from life is what you will receive. You will get whatever you give.” The force faded.

“Are you ready?” the spirit of judgment asked.

“Yes,” he replied. I’ve made up my mind. The young man spoke and headed toward the door of his choice. He knew he would be the master of his fate, the Captain of his ship, and find his own mountain of splendor. 

  Without hesitation, he entered the third door to his future.

The End