Leana Delle

And here we are at Mother’s Day
No flowers have I sent,
Commercials for the perfect gift
Again have come and went

All the precious pictures
I see from friends I know,
Of how they’re spoiled and spoiling,
Such love that they bestow

For me and many others
This is a day to mourn,
The strongest bond we’ve witnessed
Since the gift of being born

But mourning I will limit
And choose to do instead,
Concentrate, be grateful
For all you did and said

How blessed, how truly special
The love that we once shared,
Not always there together
But attuned to how we cared

Today will always be your day
Despite the fact you’re gone,
But now it’s for remembrance
And the heart to carry on

~ Leana Delle
Sunday, May 12, 2019
2019 Sunday Poetry Challenge – Number eighteen of fifty-two

Grasp this for an awesome takeaway:

“Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you should do it.”

Validation from Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick, this week’s guest on my podcast, Girlfriend, We Need To Talk, and she didn’t stop there. She further stated that if we’re good at something, we often feel like we should do more of it, when, in actual fact, it isn’t aligned with who we truly are. What is? That thing that naturally energizes us, and I’ll bet you have a pretty good idea of what that is.

Makes perfect sense to me. I’ve often struggled with this, being a creative, and Alethea’s work with diversity, inclusion, gender and race equity, really shone the light on why. There are so many factors involved in the societal shaping of who we are, and she’s got a solid handle on them all.

I learned a lot through interviewing Alethea, and you’ll learn a lot by listening in. You can access her episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcast, or by clicking here.

Learn more about Alethea:
Website
Alethea and Myers-Briggs
Alethea and Self-Coaching

Follow Alethea:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram

I saw you in a dream last night
Laughing, full of life,
You’d come, you said, to join me
On a trip requiring flight

Your hair’d grown back to shoulder length
All golden like the sun,
Your eyes still danced with mischief
Hell bent on seeking fun

I felt surprised to see you
Forgetting you had died,
And wondered where you’d gotten to
For all the time gone by

But never was there anger,
That isn’t how I felt,
‘Twas love, familiar calmness,
And a sense that all was well

Though fleeting was your presence
What happiness evoked,
So thrilled that you had come at last,
So grateful we had spoke

My God, dear friend, sometimes it feels
A lifetime since you left,
At others, only minutes
Since I heard the news and wept

I smiled when I awoke this morn
I smile even still,
While praying you’ll return again,
I’ll sleep in wait until

~ Leana Delle
Sunday, May 5, 2019
2019 Sunday Poetry Challenge – Number seventeen of fifty-two
Photo credit: Anthony Tran

There are SO many nuggets from my interview with Leah Frazier. That would be the Emmy and ADDY award-winning stylist, fashion journalist, professional model, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, influencer and publicist Leah Frazier. How can I not brag on this girl!

My biggest takeaway from our discussion?

“I don’t know what’s going to be handed to me next, but when it comes, I want to be ready as much as possible.”

I personally don’t think I’m alone in this, but I tend to function defensively versus offensively when it comes to life’s surprises. Meaning, I react when situations and opportunities arise, but I rarely make a conscious effort to stay in preparation. It’s a mindset, according to Leah, and it applies to everything from an openness to radical change to being vigilant about finances.

She also believes in manifestation, not unlike a number of my other guests. Hmm. Might I be seeing a trend?

“Anybody could design their life the way that they want it to be.”

I know many people who do not, and will not, allow themselves to believe this, but I’m with Leah. No, that doesn’t mean that you imagine something and it comes knocking at your door. What it does mean is a great deal of time and a ton of hard work, something Ms. Frazier is no stranger to. Staying focused and taking steps everyday toward your goal is the key to inspiring magic.

To be honest, I could just post a full transcript of this entire interview for my biggest takeaway. About every few minutes, I found myself swept up in another AHA! moment, and she even inspired me to change my mind on something. Curious about what? Listen to this interview, and I bet you’ll say AHA! a few times, yourself. Maybe even out loud.

Honestly, if you’re an entrepreneur, or have dreams of becoming one, you won’t want to miss this episode. Leah is just the kind of role model we all need to be following.

You can hear Leah and I discuss authenticity, giving back, and being open to possibility on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or by clicking here.

Follow Leah:
Instagram
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Learn more about Leah:
Emmy Award-Winning Stylist
Emmy Award-Winning Commercial
President of Think Three Media
Editor in Chief of Inspire N Style Magazine
Bestselling Author of The Success Factor
TEDx Speaker
2018 Dallas Startup Evangelist of the Year
Style Hub Newsletter
Recognized as one of Dallas’ Most Successful Women of 2015
Best Journalist of 2017 Nominee by Cosign Magazine
2017 Fashion Group International of Dallas Rising Star Winner in Fashion Blogging
2018 African-American Literary Award Winner
Awarded 2018 Stylist of the Year by Cosign Magazine

I see it very clearly
From ‘cross this crowded room,
Discomfort in the skin you own
Expression full of gloom

Your eyes trace every surface
Of humans in your view,
You’re mesmerized, confused almost
At what they all can do

How easily their voices lilt
Though varied in their kind,
No one intimidated,
No one appearing shy

Most women need no effort
To glide throughout this space,
While every step you try to take
Feels awkward, lacking pace

You turn now and you see me
A meeting of our eyes,
You wince despite compassion
I’ve seen through your disguise

I know you, perfect stranger
Don’t assume me foe,
For years I wore your armor
And prayed it wouldn’t show

I understand your battle
Your dream to find within,
The gift that ceases judgment,
The prize acceptance brings

And though if I were able
I’d share what all I’ve found,
I cannot dim my light to loose
The chains that have you bound

‘Tis you, dear heart, who has to choose
To raise a valiant sword,
To slice through self-perceptions
To play a different chord

And when the chains start shifting
Yes, when you’ve broken free,
Then hoist a mighty lantern
And shine for all to see

~ Leana Delle
Sunday, April 28, 2019
2019 Sunday Poetry Challenge – Number sixteen of fifty-two
Photo: Ancestor Annie McGuire