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The Door That Opens Both Ways

Contemplation This is not the author’s original text. It’s a creative AI rendition, offered with the author’s permission.
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She thought she was chasing a world record. Then the rules changed, requiring her to meet a real person at each place of worship. What seemed like an impossible obstacle became the entire point.

And what remained was both simpler and harder: ringing doorbells, showing up where people gather, and asking to be let in. Along the way, she discovered that when you meet people where they are, amazing things can happen.

Connection, it turns out, isn't something we create. It's something we remember. We are already connected, all humans on this planet, meeting at this particular door. And the central question becomes whether we're brave enough to ring the bell and whether someone on the other side is ready to answer.

What opens when we stop waiting for the perfect reason to cross a threshold?

Vicki Garlock is an educator, mother, curriculum specialist, consultant, and author of various children's books on world religions, including the ABC's of World Religions. She has served as a psychology professor at Warren Wilson College and as Minister of Education for Jubilee! Community. In September 2025, she visited 185 places of worship and was awarded the Guinness World Record for Most Places of Worship Visited in One Month. You can follow her other adventures on Instagram or Facebook @WorldReligions4Kids.

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COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

22 PAST RESPONSES

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KWright Feb 15, 2026
This is such a moving achievement. Vicki, your commitment to exploring diverse faith communities shines a light on understanding, compassion, and the bridges that connect us all.
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Vicki Feb 15, 2026
Awww...thank you so much!!
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Leslie VB Feb 12, 2026
I remember how much you liked that world religions class, and it doesn't surprise me that your passion led you to this achievement--and you were dedicated enough to overcome all obstacles. So inspiring! I have friends of many faiths--maybe I'll try to tag along. 😀
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Vicki Feb 13, 2026
I can't believe you remember that! They actually just asked me to write up a little something for the spring Irish Update. I will definitely mention Father Savela...and all the Catholic churches I visited (43)!
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Aryae Coopersmith Feb 12, 2026
"Ring the bell. See who answers." Amen! What an inspiration.!
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Vicki Feb 12, 2026
So glad you found it inspiring! I've also thought many times about the other side of that equation, too. "Hear the bell. See who's there." Connection is such a beautiful dance.
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Caroline Feb 11, 2026
Thank you for motivating me to get out of my comfortable retirement rut to continue living life finding goodness in people everywhere.
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Vicki Feb 12, 2026
Awww...you are so welcome. Finding goodness can certainly take a bit of effort some days...especially when there are many forces (and maybe some evolutionary genetics?) working to divide us. But, it's usually MUCH more rewarding, and DailyGood is clearly here to help! :-)
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Christa Wynn-Williams Feb 11, 2026
Wow and wow! What a brilliant way of exploring our soul connections.
Thank you for sharing. Maybe take some children with you, or teenagers.
How about collecting songs/hymns/music as you go?
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Vicki Feb 12, 2026
Christa, I've actually taken local folks of all ages to various places of worship around where I live. But even my husband could barely keep up with me for the last few days when he was in Chicago! :-) Collecting music is a great idea...especially when you can simply record on your phone. Thanks for sharing!
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Vickie Feb 11, 2026
What an inspiring idea
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Vicki Feb 12, 2026
Thank you! I give a lot of credit to Shashank Sharma who came up with the idea and established the record of 76 in Delhi...and to the other 2 guys in Varanasi who bumped it up to 111. I definitely would not have had the experience I did without them.
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Susan Clark Feb 11, 2026
Dear Vicki -- Thank you so much for following the divine impulse to take this trip, and then be undeterred by emerging challenges -- and then share it so beautifully with us all. I was so moved reading this - including the parts where your questions helped foster additional connections. As someone long devoted to the "inter" of interfaith, your journey and findings are deeply nourishing. And, if you ever want to start a gathering of amateur mystics, I'm in!
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Vicki Feb 12, 2026
Thank YOU for reading and taking the time to comment! I also want to give a shout-out to Audrey, Glenda, and Rosemary who listened to my entire story, asked great questions, and then wrote up an incredible article!

P.S. I'm finding that the "amateur mystic" thing really resonates with a lot of people!
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Glenda Turner Feb 11, 2026
It was such a joy hearing your stories and "feeling" the joy you are spreading through your connections and the ripple effects of those connections. I will look forward to your next adventure (after you get back to that basement.😀)
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Vicki Feb 11, 2026
Y...not sure if it was good or not-so-good that I put my "basement issue" out there for everyone to see! :-) But I AM glad the joy I experienced (and tried to share with others) came through. It truly was the adventure of a lifetime!
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Lynda Ashley Feb 11, 2026
This is fabulous! A heart opening story.
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Vicki Feb 11, 2026
Thank you so much!!
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Jo-Neal Graves Feb 11, 2026
This is a wonderful story! I agree with Susan! I would so love to do what you did! As a practitioner of Buddhism I definitely believe that we are all connected and you’re right….the words really don’t matter! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story.❤️
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Vicki Feb 11, 2026
Awww...thank you so much!! And, honestly, you probably don't want to visit 185 places in one month! But, I hope this inspires you (and others) to visit at least 1 or 2 worship spaces that are unfamiliar to you in 2026. It's amazing way to connect with others...and possibly to discover new ways to connect with the Divine.
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Susan Ross Feb 11, 2026
I love that this story points out much the same discovery that the traveling monks have brought to our weary world - may all beings learn compassion!
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Vicki Feb 11, 2026
Oh my goodness...such an honor to be though of in the same breath as those amazing monks! Thank you so much!!