Leena In Switzerland

Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

In the middle of November 2019, I jumped on a plane heading to Zurich, Switzerland from Chicago, IL.

I was excited to see a longtime friend who not too long before that, made the move there for a new job with her husband.

It was the furthest I had traveled from home, alone. I wasn’t scared but I was nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was my first international flight. I wasn’t used to navigating on my own but I love a challenge so…

Upon arrival in Switzerland I was in awe thinking about being 4,000 miles+ away from home and utterly confused all at the same time. I hesitantly aimed for customs because all of a sudden the people started to not look much like me and I’ve never been one to like the attention. I stood there with my very BLACK features with my very BLACK attire and just as I was next in line to be welcomed into the country.

Whomp whomp

I wasn’t. Well, at first at least.

I was interrogated fiercely about my reasons for visiting, how much money I had, and my plans of returning to the USA. It was odd but I did my best to understand their reasons for singling me out.

They patted through my Afro and they wondered if I was there to meet a man and I sarcastically asked if they knew anyone but they didn’t like that. I digressed.

After what felt like at least an hour of interrogation I was asked to identify the person I was there to meet. According to them there was only two people in the country with the name I gave them so I again I sarcastically told them it was likely the person closest in age to me. They laughed and eventually handed me off to my friend. We giddily greeted each other, hugged for at least a minute and we caught up as I followed her home.

It was a great time (minus the subtle violation of my body) as I got to visit not only Switzerland on that trip but also Germany and Italy.

All of which places I hope to visit again.

Happy Tears

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

A few things:

He said “I lub you mommy” and he goes to kiss my lips.

I briefly worried about his ability to speak at twenty-months but there he was ensuring me he had no problems speaking rather he chooses not to sometimes. What an interesting kid I think to myself.

My seven year old is having a ball with life. He’s excelling in school, and has joined an activity he loves (jujitsu) . It’s warm out and he’s outside running, jumping, climbing trees, playing in the mud and he couldn’t be any happier. His dad is his best friend and he has a mama that’s deeply invested in his journey. He’s a happy kid and that makes my heart smile.

I sometimes cross paths with my favorite kind of people and they’re the people who are thriving in their authenticity. I can sense it in their energy and it’s so beautiful.

I Forgot How To Hurt


Inhale.

Exhale.

Release…

I sat at my desk at work and took a deep breath and as I exhaled I could feel tears start to pool in the corners of my eyes.

In order to shield myself from the “are you alright?” or “Is everything okay?” questions as my coworkers passed by, I did what any girl would do; I removed my glasses, leaned my head back and fanned my eyes until the tears had no choice but to retreat.

It worked for the moment but my chest was still tight and my heart was still heavy.

I called out to avoidance but it didn’t respond this time. It was at that moment I understood my spirit would no longer allow my body to hold onto pain, no matter how desperately or loudly I called.

Curiosity with No Peak

What are you curious about?

Do you ever think about the ocean and all its vastness or space and all its worlds beyond?

I do, in fact, all the time.

I’m not sure if my mind or any other humans mind can conceptualize the complexities of any of it.

Or can it ?🧐

I’m curious about the God I grew up believing in. Now that I’m thinking about it, how odd of me to believe of all the amazing things and places it has created that it’s biggest concern is little ol” me believing in it or not and how I should be “punished” if I don’t.

I’m sure I’m the least of its worries and I think I’m loved way more than that.

Speaking of, I’m curious about love and how it could wrap you tightly in its embrace, comforting your soul to its depths but be the very thing that could make your heart physically change shape from the pain it can cause.

It’s so cruel and beautiful at the same time. But why does it have to be?

This makes me think about the Law of Polarity. The law that states everything has an equal opposite. Basically, both must exist simultaneously in order for us to understand the other.

Perhaps loving truly is the bravest thing a person could do.

Doses of Change

What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?

I hope my thoughts read here illicit good feelings, ignite imaginations, spark curiosity and offer unique and hopefully interesting perspectives.

My sole purpose here is to indulge in something I enjoy doing (reading and writing) and attract people who I’m meant to attract for whatever reason.

My hope is that me being committed to my own personal development is changing not only me but, the world at the same time.

Imagine if we ALL joined in.

My Serotonin Inducers

List 30 things that make you happy.

1. Me

2. Other Good People

3. Babies 👶

4. Gaining knowledge and understanding

5. Baby Yoda

6. Quiet Mornings

7. Shopping for my home

8. Cleaning and Organizing

9. Cooking a toddler approved meal and my youngest confirms his satisfaction by dancing or sayin “yummy” 🍱

10. A day without minor inconveniences.

11. Sleep 🛌

12. A good movie/book 📚 🎥

13. Passionate s*x 💦

14. When my tests pass at work

15. Meeting new and interesting people. 🫂

16. Clean sheets after a long hot shower. 🚿

17. Trees/Nature 🌲

18. Music made my Naomi Sharon and Aurora 🎶

19. Working out 🏋️‍♂️

20. Unlearning bad habits/behaviors

21. Reading some of your posts 🗒️

22. Driving Fast 🚙

23. Goofy Dogs 🐶

24. The jerk that happens when the plane starts down the runway

25. Watching my kids learn new things

26. Listening to people talk about their passions.

27. Dancing

28. Writing ✍️

29. Swimming

30. Exploring a new place

Baby Girl Forever

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

At my very large age of 30. I still suck my thumb and I have no intentions of stopping.

I suppose I won’t be stopping anytime soon because it’s the only thing that seems to calm my nervous system in times of need.

My time of need is all the time.

Nanny

What are you most excited about for the future?

Mom and T

It’s hard

But I try not to concern myself with the future. I don’t want to miss what’s important right now.

The future will be there regardless.

I will say though, the times I do wonder about it, I tend to get excited about being a Grandmother one day.

I’m not entirely sure why at 30 I’m excited to obtain the title of “nanny” which is the name my one year old has famously given my mom but I think it has something to do with how she embodies the role.

She is everything my boys and I never knew we needed and I’m excited to one day extend the love, support and care she has shown me, to my (hopefully) future daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

By that time I would have harvested dozens of lessons, i will have loved fiercely and planted beautiful seeds of intention to share with them. I’m excited to see the fruits of my healing and unconditional love.

The Balancing Act

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony

I can.

I have.

And I WILL always release fear and the expectations people place on me without my permission.

I’ve witnessed and experienced myself, the catastrophic damage those two can do.