Recognition: Opening The Doors

Day 2 — Locked From The Inside

Some of the strongest prisons have no bars.

They are built from the promises we made when our hearts were hurting.

"I'll never trust again."

"I'll never need anyone again."

"I'll never let anyone get that close to me again."

At the time, those promises felt like protection.

And maybe they were.

For a while.

But life moves forward.

The danger passes.

The wound begins to heal.

Yet many of us continue standing behind doors we locked years ago.

Not because someone is keeping us there.

Because we forgot we were the ones holding the key.

The person who locked those doors was doing the best they could with the pain they carried.

They were trying to survive.

They could not see the future.

They could not imagine a day when peace would return.

But you are not that version of yourself anymore.

Today, you may be standing before a door that was never locked by another person.

Not by your past.

Not by your fears.

Not by the people who hurt you.

Locked from within.

And perhaps the bravest thing you will ever do is gently reach for the handle and ask:

*"Do I still need this protection?"*

Because healing is not always about finding a new room.

Sometimes it is realizing the key has been in your hand all along.

Come Sit with me for awhile

Because the door that protects you from pain may also be protecting you from joy. One day, you must decide if the lock still serves you.