I have been travelling both inside and outside my comfort zone. Both kinds of travel offer the good stuff: reflection on who I am, where I intend to go, and how to overcome limiting beliefs to keep moving forward. I discussed this a year ago when Selena Novello interviewed me on her podcast. You can listen to or watch the video for more about how I have worked to overcome my limiting beliefs.

I flew to New Delhi and then to Dibrugarh, India. A good writer friend of mine, Lisa Weir, was married there in November. Travelling that far was unthinkable at the start of the year. But I said YES (to myself), and it was all amazing—all of it—the companionship, the feeling, sounds, sights, and smells, the busy activity, and the sense of peace. All. Of. It.

I returned home sick and lay on the couch for a week. And that was fine; I recovered. But when I stood on my feet again, they slipped out from under me thanks to a sneaky patch of winter ice. FALLING happened so fast. For months following, my concussion baffled me with exhaustion. I describe it in my recent Substack: My Head is Not a Bowling Ball.

During recovery, I balanced healing and restorative sleep with reading short story anthologies as an official juror for the Writers Guild of Alberta. Working with peers was a fantastic experience; between us, we selected these three finalists and then awarded the deserving writer. I’ll keep you in suspense about who got the prize, as they are all worth reading.

Short Story Collection Finalists

  • Astrid Blodgett – This is How You Start to Disappear (University of Alberta Press)
  • Idman Nur Omar – Private Apartments (House of Anansi Press)
  • Premee Mohamed – No one will come back for us (Undertow Publications)

I teach Introduction to Creative Writing Basics Level One at the Alexandra Writer’s Centre Society this fall. Do you live in Calgary? Check the AWCS website for this beginner’s course or something more. They’re always offering excellent, inclusive, community-minded writing support.

Every recent opportunity has been a great reward for my reset-to-YES mindset. I was saying no to too many good things from fear—limiting fear. I know there are quotes with rainbows saying, Expansion takes bravery, and If you’re not growing outward, you’re growing inward, or Opportunity exists right outside your comfort zone. (These are not the quotes I am looking for, but that’s how the filing system in my brain is now organized, post-concussion: sometimes it’s haphazard and random. But I think you know what I mean. I hope so. Humour me, say YES.)

My YESing led me on another more recent adventure to Peru. Again, I never imagined visiting South America, but along came the opportunity. The experience was terrific and included many beautiful, kind-hearted and genuine people. I appreciated every second of that adventure. It was expansive and expanding.

Now I am home again, with all my Loves and the time to share What’s NEWs.

My Children’s Illustrated Picture book series grows soon with number 3! It’s called One Lucky Teddybear LoopyDoo. The publish date is delayed, but I’m half done and then some to the finish line. I promise you will see it within weeks. Until then, here is Teddybear (our Teddy bear’s name, one word 🙂 with new friend BIRD. This is the calm before the storm, right before they fly and sink into the ocean deep.

Leesa JoAnn Iverson writes to broaden perspective, create conversation, and foster compassion for ourselves and others. Her Children’s Illustrated Picture book One Lucky Teddybear LoopyDoo will be available June 2024. One Lucky Teddybear Falling and One Lucky Teddybear Sideways are available now. Purchase these books, delivered to your door or as a gift, from Amazon worldwide or Crafted Goods

  • Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS) – Member, Instructor, Juror 2023/2024
  • Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) – Member, Short Story Anthology Juror 2024
  • Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) – Member
  • Picture To Pencil Commissions – Portraits & more – Est. 2016
  • The Corner Lot Authors – Writing Group Est.2010 – Founding Member
  • Leighton Art Center (LAT) – Member
  • Visual Communication and Design, Diploma

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