I had an appointment in downtown Chicago recently. Rather than take public transportation, I decided to drive. I drove into the jungle with one goal. Find street parking close to my meeting. This is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Unsuccessful, and running late, I decided to pull into a parking garage. As I pulled forward the garage door was closed.  I expected it to automatically open, so I pulled closer.  Normally the automatic door trigger will open the door. Fearful of actually hitting the garage door, or that it might be out of order I stopped and waited. I sat there watching the time slowly tick by, unable to backup because the cars behind me blowing their car horns. I realized I was stuck.

After about 10 seconds, which felt like an hour, I saw the following sign on the wall “Pull Forward As Far as Possible”. Once I saw the sign I inched closer to the garage door and it automatically opened. Relieved and running late, I valet and headed to my meeting.

When I returned to the garage, I saw the sign and thought about the times in life we attempt to move forward and because of roadblocks, naysayers, and closed doors we get stopped. Unable to move backward or forward we sit quietly hoping and waiting for something to happen but it never does, precious time slowly ticking by leaving us frustrated and discouraged.

Perhaps the next time you find yourself stopped or stuck, you should “Pull Forward as Far as Possible”. This movement could trigger the automatic door to open, ultimately leading you to your desired destination. Many dreams have never been realized because we give up too soon or don’t go far enough stopping just short. Had we only inched closer the door would have automatically opened.

Grow FORWARD!