Open Sesame

How to be an opener of doors

“Be an opener of doors.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

My dear friend Kelly gave me a delicate key necklace for Christmas, accompanied by this Emerson quote. It stirred something in me. I put a pin in it as I was exploring themes and intentions for the upcoming year.

I’ve been in a place of wild creation and I got a hit on the possible theme “Creative Explosion” while discussing it with a friend. But creative explosion and expansion are kind of who I am. Then I thought “Creative Cohesion” because one thing I’m seeking this year is less splintering and more cohesion.

Then this question came to mind: What are you longing for?

A longing is a deep pull, deeper than a desire. Deeper than structural intentions. Longings often build over time. Longings, in the sense I’m considering, are fuel or refuel to spark fruition.

The answers came swiftly:

I long for a deep love. I love for true and lasting connections. I long for simple systems that will hold, support, and aid my plethora of ideas. I long for meaningful collaborations to share big, bold, transformative ideas. I long for a wonderful publishing team to launch my debut novel. I long to see my books on bookshelves in stores and people’s homes. I long for invitations to write, speak, and share my creative wisdom. I long for strong friendships. I long for the stories of my roots. I long for benefactors and investors in my creative work and I long to pay it forward. I long for an intimate roster of creative clients – we get each other. I long to lift others in their purposes too.

What are you longing for? It’s a beyond-powerful inquiry.

As soon as my longings were inked on paper, the theme presented itself. Back to being “an opener of doors.” Each longing requires moving beyond where I’ve been, across a threshold, or through a crossroad. Through a door.

I woke up the next day thinking of the phrase “Open Sesame.” That’s it, I thought. It’s quite magical, full of possibility and forward momentum.

Open Sesame is a directive. A mission. A command. Open Sesame is boldly following the longings.

The Closed-Door Revelation

I've always been fascinated by doors, capturing them often in photographs as I’ve traveled across the globe. I enjoy imagining what’s going on behind those doors and who has passed through them over the years. As a storyteller, the mind reels at what tales unfolded there.

But here's the kicker, I recently realized nearly all the snapshots feature closed doors. Closed doors!

It got me thinking about how many times I've stopped myself at the threshold. Too many than I care to count.

Well, that confirmed all the more, with a nod and a thank you to Mr. Emerson, my theme for 2024 is Open Sesame.

Maybe some of these ideas will resonate as you contemplate the doors in your life.

“Open Sesame” in action

Here are some actionable suggestions I’m playing with.

**Open Sesame starts from within

For me, it begins by opening some internal doors first:

• Open my heart to love.

• Open my inner sanctum for deep spiritual work.

• Open my mind to ideas that are new and different from my own.

• Open my ears to listen to what isn’t being said on the surface.

• Open the borders of my comfort zone to step outside it every day.

This paves the way to be brave and to open more doors in the world.

** Open your heart to others

To truly open doors, one must first open hearts. Engage authentically with others, share your dreams, and be genuinely interested in theirs.

Open Sesame idea: Create a "Dream Swap Meet" with a friend where you exchange aspirations. Have an open-hearted discussion. This not only deepens your connection but also opens doors to collaborative opportunities you might not have considered.

**Knock often on doors of opportunity, chance, and big asks

What are the barriers to entry? Are they old fears or stories that have held you back?

It can no longer be the standard choice to loiter on the threshold, lurking, looking in the window. It’s being curious and assertive, pushing open the door and stepping, running, leaping through, and figuring things out as you go.

Then, it’s using discernment and culling your knowledge and wisdom.

It’s listening to your intuition and truth about if it’s the right door. Enter first, assess, and then decide, rather than loiter for-EVER on the threshold.

That’s a new muscle for me that already feels stronger.

It’s asking for what you want. It’s making real connections with people who can help you move forward. It’s befriending the gatekeepers.

Asking has been one of my consistent barriers to entry in the past. I now have a daily reminder pop up on my phone: “I’m an opener of doors. I ask for what I want.” It helps.

Fear often acts as the gatekeeper to the doors of our biggest dreams. Open Sesame challenges us to be fearless in our pursuits. Take calculated risks, confront your fears head-on, and watch as the doors swing wide open.

Open Sesame idea: Develop a "Fearless Playlist" filled with songs that empower and embolden you. Listen to it whenever self-doubt creeps in, and let the music guide you to a place of fearlessness. Be prepared to dance!

**It’s examining previously closed doors

Are they worth exploring again? Or are they good and shut? Sometimes acknowledging that allows you to finally let it go.

A door that I thought had been closed years ago recently opened. A part of my life I thought was finished. And, no matter what happens, it feels great to play in that sandbox again.

I found it fascinating that this old door cracked open again only two weeks after I’d declared “Open Sesame!” Coincidence? Or intention?

** Get curious

Explore the unknown. Take a chance on that passion project, sign up for that class, or strike up a conversation with a stranger. Your journey as an opener of doors begins with a fearless embrace of curiosity.

Open Sesame idea: Make a "Curiosity Calendar" and schedule regular dates with new experiences or people.

Celebrated film producer Brian Grazer, years ago embarked on Curiosity Conversations with people he greatly admired. He simply asked for a conversation. He said, “The secret to a more fulfilling life lies in personal connections, sparked through curiosity,” which he learned through his interactions with people like Taraji P. Henson, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Eminem, and Prince.

** Practice gratitude

Gratitude is another secret key that unlocks doors to abundance. Cultivate a mindset of gratitude for the opportunities, challenges, and even setbacks. Acknowledge the doors that have opened for you – and closed – and express gratitude for the lessons learned.

Open Sesame idea: Start a "Gratitude Journal" where, each day, you jot down three things you're grateful for. This simple practice will not only shift your perspective but also attract more doors to open.

** Be a door opener for others

The true blessing of "Open Sesame" lies in paying it forward. Actively look for opportunities to open doors for others. Offer a helping hand, mentor someone, or simply share your knowledge generously. In doing so, you not only enrich the lives of others but create a network of open doors that reciprocate in unexpected ways.

Open Sesame idea: Host a "Door-Opening Dinner" where you bring together people from diverse backgrounds. Encourage them to share their dreams and witness the doors of collaboration swing wide open.

Some “Open Sesame” prompts to provide deeper inquiry

“Open Sesame” is one of the favorite journaling techniques I teach in my Art of Journaling course. It’s selecting a meaningful book, setting an intention, and then allowing the book to fall open.

I call it Open Sesame because, like magic, if you’re open to it, you receive a message or inquiry that can lead to a powerful journaling session. Following the drift. Follow the inkling.

Here are a few of my favorite books I use for Open Sesame inquiries, where passages and words never fail to open an inner dialogue in the pages of your journal. Just for fun, I’ve Open-Sesame’d each to reveal an inviting prompt. These are the passages my eyes landed on.

“Come on! The Witness of the Soul is seeking mirrors. Burnish the rust off the mirror.” — Pg 7 “Love’s Ripening: Rumi on the Heart’s Journey,” translated by Kabir Helminshi & Ahmad Rezwani

“Tell me, have you been where hope and faith cannot find you? What sustains you? How do you get through? How do you take the next breath?” —Pg 114 “The Invitation,” by Oriah

“How can one understand such timing, what curious sense does it make, in all the happenings of the universe?” —Pg 35 “Upstream” by Mary Oliver

“Whatever we focus on is what we will bring into our lives.” —Pg 175 “The Quinn Essentials: 9 Transformational Tools to Accomplish Anything,” by Andrea Quinn

“It starts to become a serious question: Who am I? Who is having all of these physical, emotional, and mental experiences?”—Pg 27 “The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself,” by Michael A. Singer

“The first encounter with dharma is very often described as falling in love. When we see our dharma—smell it, feel it—we recognize it. It is undeniable.” —Pg 141 “The Great Work of Your Life” by Stephen Cope

I got so all in on Open Sesame that I created two new journals to add to my journal collection. Fun! It was illuminating and my hope is it is for others too. You can check them out too if you like, here.

In the whimsical world of "Open Sesame," may your heart be your guide as you navigate the doors of possibility with curiosity, wonder, and courage.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. And, let me know what doors you’re opening along the way!

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Also, if you’re still pondering over or looking for a powerful word theme for your year, there’s time, and you can still get the replay of my annual word-of-the-year workshop: Leap into 2024!