A child pushes a door away from her to open it.

The direction of the force is away from her.

The child pushes the door open. The direction of the force is away from her.

Now consider the wind blowing a kite to the right.

The direction of the force is to the right.

The wind blows the kite to the right. The direction of the force is to the right.

Now consider the magnet pulling the paperclip toward itself.

The direction of the force is toward the magnet.

The magnet pulls the paperclip. The direction of the force is toward the magnet.