I have so many examples of times I’ve tried to force life to go faster. But out of all of them, I have one clear favorite.
I was trekking to Everest Base Camp with my friends in 2001. We’d flown into Lukla at 10,000 feet elevation and then started the 30 mile trek to base camp. After a couple of days on the trail, we’d reached the charming town of Namche Bazaar and set up camp outside of a tea house to stay for two nights. My friend, Phil, told us this was the first point on the trail that we’d get to see glimpses of Everest.
The next morning I woke before everyone else. I was impatient to see Everest so I set off roaming by myself. After going up and down roads and trails for about an hour, I found a beautiful view and saw the sun rise gleaming off the top of Everest. After enjoying a few minutes of the first light, I headed back down to our camp.
By the time I returned about 90 minutes after I set out, everyone else was awake and starting to get ready for the day. My friend, Phil asked if anyone wanted to see a view of Everest. I joined the group as they walked 5 minutes in the other direction from where I’d gone and got a beautiful view. Doh!!
In this episode of The Life of Try, I dig in to the Quaker wisdom that “way will open”—and the surprising truth that closed doors, delays, and seasons of waiting may be guiding us just as powerfully as forward motion.
Through personal stories about illness, an ending that created space for motherhood, and Parker J. Palmer’s lesson that “a lot of way has closed behind me,” this episode offers a compassionate perspective on how to move forward when life does not go according to plan. I explore how to stop forcing growth before its time, and how to recognize the next honest step when the path ahead is unclear.
Key takeaways:
• How to trust the process when you feel stuck in life
• Why closed doors can provide clarity and direction
• How to practice patience without giving up
• How to keep trying without forcing the outcome
If you’re navigating change, waiting for clarity, recovering from a setback, or searching for motivation to move forward, this reflective episode will help you loosen your grip, trust your timing, and stay open to where life may be leading.
- Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Stop Procrastinating and Start: The 10-Minute Rule for Taking Action
- Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
- Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry
Links for this episode:
Way Will Open: How to Trust Life’s Timing transcript
Quaker Jane’s Glossary of Words and Phrases
Parker J. Palmer’s essay On Way Closes posted at OnBeing.org
Related Episode
How to Get Unstuck in Life and Getting Moving Forward Again with Michael Yang
Success isn’t always about finishing first. Sometimes the greatest victories belong to those who stay prepared, keep growing, and never stop trying.
(featured photo is mine of first light in the Himalaya)
If my work has encouraged, inspired, or helped you try something new, consider supporting it with a small “cup of coffee” donation. Your support helps me keep creating conversations, stories, and resources that cheer people on as they do brave, meaningful work.
You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram wynneleon
You are an inspirational soul, Wynne. After that single search for Everest, you have found the ways we can, on occasion, find the top of the mountain. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, what an encouraging comment. Thank you, Dr. Stein!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your opening line Wynne, “I have so many examples of times I’ve tried to force life to go faster.” Touched me, not because I’ve been trying to force life to go faster, but I have been trying to force life to go as I’ve planned, or at least closely resemble the plan I put together for my future and my family’s future…
Also, I deeply felt this: “If you’re navigating change, waiting for clarity, recovering from a setback, or searching for motivation to move forward,” … I hurt my back in 2022 and have desperately been trying to find a way to make a good, positive difference in the world, and get paid a good living wage, while juggling pain. I haven’t found my ‘Opening’ yet… ‘But a lot of way has closed behind me’…
I absolutely love your openness and the stories you share about finding your way, in a world that sometimes seems like it has more roadblocks instead of clear paths and access to our dreams. Thank you Wynne! 💞😊🙏🏻🥰
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, I didn’t know that about your back, Rose. I’m so sorry. You’re right – more road blocks than clear paths. That is so true. May the way open before you, Rose!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this reminder, Wynne. For years, I’ve felt trapped in a season of trying to pry open the door, somehow forgetting that, throughout my life, the way has always opened effortlessly when it was time.
“Sometimes the pause is part of the path.” That’s so powerful, and something I’ll need to sit with. 🚪💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
when it was time, the way has opened effortlessly — love your comment. So true for me too — but I definitely have done plenty of spinning and whirling trying to make things happen before then. It’s a tough practice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry that you and the family were sick last week, Wynne – and also did have to chuckle at how you turned that moment into a reflection and learning opportunity. So timely and topical.
“Sometimes the pause is part of the path.” This resonated to me the most in your episode. We’re so conditioned to always be moving forward – and anything contrary seems to be perceived as counter productive.
But the pause is where we build in time for reflection, rest – and if needed, the pivot. And these moments are so important to the overall journey.
I hope this week is less buggy one for you so far!
LikeLiked by 2 people
conditioned to always be moving forward — isn’t that so true?! I love that you called that out because that’s the wisdom I need to hear from this. And pause to reflect and pivot — such a good comment. Thanks, Ab!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘I did what was available while I waited for what was not.’ Thanks, Wynne
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, thank you, Malcolm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for another timely and helpful podcast Wynne. Learning to be patient and flow with life is a never ending dance for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And for me, Brad! It’s hard to discern when we need to pause, pivot and when we are getting in our own way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed.
LikeLike
Well, now. First — so sorry you’ve been ill! But I love how you examined your desire to push forward, get off the sofa…realizing you needed to do a little wrestling with “not yet”. I know you…and I know how hard that is…your point about “progress doesn’t always look like motion” is such a good reminder to give ourselves credit and praise for the time we take to plan, plot, consider, wonder…on our way to creating. So good! Thanks for the Wednesday nudge. A good one for me this afternoon! 💝💝💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
give ourselves credit — and take the time to plan, plot and wonder — so good, my dear friend! You know how hard it is to slow things down when we’re used to getting things done. And yet…. Thanks for the great comment, dear Vicki!! ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love you! ❤️
LikeLike
Funny how trying to rush things along doesn’t always work out as well as just trusting the process and allowing it to happen as it should!
I’m no stranger to this. I had been taught to pray in great detail for everything I wanted to happen, and yet that wasn’t the ultimate lessons I was supposed to learn. I learned that when I allowed things to happen as they needed to, often it was much better than anything I could have prayed for.
Good lesson for today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
better than anything you could have prayed for — I’m so glad you said this, Tamara. Yes, me too!! It’s hard to trust the process but darn if it doesn’t work!! Thanks for the great comment!
LikeLike
Thanks, always happy to share Wynne!
LikeLike
your story is so funny and such a great example of this. i’m always working on just letting life happen as it’s meant to, but know that it makes no difference what i do or don’t do, it still happens in it’s own time and way. (or does not happen), as it’s also meant not to. that’s a crazy read back of my sentence, but i’ve learned over time and continue to learn, sometimes the hardest thing to do is doing nothing, especially when life takes a detour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, yes, yes! I understand this comment perfectly, Beth. Sometimes the hardest thing is to do nothing — but also so beautiful when it all comes together!! Thanks for the great comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also believe in redirection when we face closed doors and delays. Another one is God’s arrangement. I like the Himalaya photo and a lovely topic, Wynne
LikeLike
Interesting takeaways Wynne!
LikeLike
Great story Wynne- looking forward to the episode!
LikeLike
Wow, this is a really hard one for me!
LikeLike
This is a concept I find fascinating. The doors closing behind us are essentially guiding us towards our true way, and any pauses involved are actually for our benefit. There was a lot to unpack in just a few minutes, Wynne! ☺️ I’m glad you’re feeling better.
LikeLike
I think very often things not working out is the universe’s way of redirecting us to something better.
LikeLike
Hilarious story, Wynne…though probably not so much for you at the time. Worth it just for an early glimpse of Everest, though!
LikeLike
Perfect, my friend. It seems like you went with the flow. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
LikeLike
Sending you healing wishes! A great perspective – it’s so hard to sit with the waiting, but there is so much peace in letting go of the timelines and holding space for what’s next.
LikeLike
Fabulous! I remember hearing a similar saying years ago: when I rush it slows things down, when I go slow, I race ahead. Linda xx
LikeLike
You’re such an inspiration, Wynne! That Everest quest proves we can sometimes make it to the top. Thanks
LikeLike