Doors don’t open themselves; we open them with the way we arrive. I wanted the New Year to feel less like a sprint and more like a crossing, so I explored the rituals that make time feel sacred and change feel possible—without the pressure cooker of perfect resolutions.

I start with a sensory memory: chili that slow-cooked all night, cornbread stacked high, a fire rumbling while friends drift in from the cold. From there, I name what a ritual really is—purposeful action done with presence—and why it beats a rule-bound resolution every time. You’ll hear from my circle of Wize Women, whose practices range from throwing the I Ching to choosing a word after meditation, from clearing closets and calendars to writing down every win so the mind stops leading with failure. I hold space for humor too: a neighbor who calls the police, a guest in a green silk gown, and a mischievous nun who breaks the tension with a one-liner that sends everyone into laughter.

The throughline is alignment. Most goals start in the head and stall. I explain how to engage the five bodies—physical, energy, emotional, mental, intellectual, and Divine—so intention is grounded, fueled, felt, focused, and meaningful. That’s where real change takes root. You’ll hear practical ways to review your year without shame, release what no longer fits, and step forward with a word, a breath, or a bowl of Hoppin’ John as your quiet ceremony. Along the way, I share how this very podcast grew from a year of steady writing into a home on Substack, and how a single intention to teach again sparked an invite to a live platform within days.

And here's the LINK to the live, free class I'm teaching on January 9, 12:00 PM EST.

Come for the warmth, stay for the tools, and leave with a simple plan to cross your threshold inspired. If this conversation helps you reimagine your New Year, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—then tell me: what ritual will you carry into the year ahead?

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