Léna Roy is an amazing writer and teacher. Her first novel Edges will be available in bookstores on December 7, 2010. She leads creative writing workshops for kids and teens from 8-18 in both NYC and Northern Westchester. Her inspiration and touchstone is her late grandmother, Madeleine L’Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time. But here we think Léna is quite the inspiration herself. She is generous of spirit, creative and adventurous, taking on the challenge of running the first “upstate” outpost of Writopia. Because we love her, we asked her to answer the Thrivival Questionnaire.
What does thriving mean to you?
Thriving is a reaching towards your Higher Self, God, Goddess, Higher Power – however you want to look at it. Thriving is growing your heart bigger than you ever thought possible. Thriving is accessing right action and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
What do you do on a regular basis to thrive?
Everything is practice! I practice writing. Writing has always been a form of praying for me, working things out in my psyche, re-framing my experiences. I practice yoga whenever I can. I practice gratitude, I try to be of service to others, I practice open-ness to change and transition. Most importantly, I practice not taking things personally. “Enjoy the play,” as Ram Dass said!
In what ways have you gone from survival mode to thrivival mode?
Survival is having an attitude that the glass is half-empty, while thrivival is embracing the belief that the glass is half-full. I have had the tendency to live in a deprivation mode, which is why I must practice self care. Having three children has been an intense and wonderful experience, but it also has brought up a lot of different kind of fears than I had in my 20’s. I am constantly practicing letting go of fear and embracing love. I also think forgiveness is very important, and at the same time to know when to move on from toxic relationships.
I am very fortunate to be at a place in my life where I am doing what I love – writing and teaching.
If you feel low, how do you boost your level of thriving?
Self-care! Exercise is VERY important. Reaching out to others is paramount, since writing is such an internal process. Being of service to others.
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