Unlocking Optimism: How an Antique Doorknob Inspired My Life Philosophy

Sometimes the key to your next breakthrough isn’t a door... it’s the handle.

In a world where chaos dominates the headlines and uncertainty feels constant, an antique doorknob sits quietly on my desk.

To most, it’s just an old piece of hardware.
To me, it’s a daily reminder of something deeper… the power of hope, resilience, and perspective.

Photo by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash

The History Behind the Handle

I bought this doorknob years ago from an old hardware store.
It was worn, scratched, and missing its door… its original purpose long gone.
But when I picked it up, something about it caught me.

It made me wonder: Where did this come from?
Whose home did it open?
What possibilities once lay on the other side?

That mystery is part of the beauty.
Because life’s most profound lessons often come from what feels unfinished.

Growth Over Fatalism

This little doorknob preaches a quiet sermon every day.
It reminds me that purpose doesn’t disappear when seasons change... sometimes it just gets repurposed.

It challenges me to reject fatalism… the mindset that says, this is just how life is.
Instead, it whispers, you can still turn something.

Here’s what it teaches me:

• Embrace Challenges. Like this doorknob, we can find new purpose even when we’ve lost what once defined us.

• Choose Optimism. Choosing hope isn’t weakness… it’s quiet strength.

• Stay Persistent. Setbacks aren’t endings; they’re repurposing moments.

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You’ve read the story… here’s the deeper takeaway.
Below, I’ll share the three-part practice this antique doorknob inspired in my leadership journey: how I use a 90-second reset to keep optimism alive even in high-pressure environments.

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🌄 The Practice of Optimism (in Leadership and Life)

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