It’s been a little while since The Interview Series has shown its face on the blog. Well, it’s back today and I’m so excited for who is being featured.
You know those people you meet and instantly click with and could quite literally sit talking hours and hours? That’s what happened when Laura Max Rose and I met. Our mutual friend, Esther, connected us, and as it turns out, we have lots more connections here in Houston and we know a lot of the same people. Small world, indeed.
Not only is Laura so incredibly sweet, but she’s also beyond inspiring. She writes the blog The Light Files, which is all about spirituality, inspiration, wellness, positivity, and life, in general. Laura is a great writer and storyteller. I urge you to check out her corner of the web. It’s pretty special! Along with her blog, Laura is also the Director of Programming for Congregation Shma Koleinu. She’s a busy gal, and I’m thrilled she was able to share a bit about herself with all of you (and click here to read my interview on TLF).
What/Who inspires you?
Oprah, people who wear their hearts on their sleeves, and anyone who’s unafraid of going against the grain and becoming successful on their own terms.
What is your favorite motto/quote and why?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson.
Because, did you just read that?! Seriously though, I read that quote for the first time when I was 20 and it blew my mind. It’s actually what I named my blog after: “The Light Files” are all little stories of my own journey into stepping into my own light and, by so doing, helping you step into yours.
Your blog, The Light Files, is such an amazing source of inspiration. I absolutely love it. Why did you decide to start it?
Thank you so much! I’ve been blogging for about six years, and I started The Light Files about two years ago when it got pretty clear that each one of my posts was related to the same idea: don’t be afraid of being as big as you are (but, if you are afraid, so am I, so lets hold hands!). “The Light Files” encapsulated the message I was trying to put out there, but I’ve come to find most people have no idea why I named my blog what I named it. I’ve thought of changing it, but I’m not ready – the name still has a lot of meaning for me.
If there is one message you would love to get across to the general public, what would it be?
You are enough exactly as you are. You didn’t miss an instruction manual when you were born that everyone else got. There is no manual. We’re all figuring this sh*t out and as long as we’re in it together, we’re going to be more than okay. Also, don’t be embarrassed about having faith and believing in God. I’m a “bleeding heart liberal” on many subjects AND my husband and I pray out loud all the time. The two are not mutually exclusive. I don’t know where I would be without God, and sometimes I don’t talk about that as openly as I wish I did because spirituality, religion specifically, has been very stigmatized by people who use their faith to judge others. Faith is the least judgemental thing in the world: it’s admitting to the universe that we can’t do it alone. I’ve lived life with faith and I’ve lived life without it. Having faith has been much better.
If you could get coffee (or wine) with one person, living or not, who would it be?
Probably Gabrielle Bernstein. I’ve only met her once and she was far less intimidating that I imagine Oprah to be. Her presence is electric – she has so many good vibes running through her body that you can’t help but catch them when you’re around her. I follow her on social media, but it’s not quite the same as physically being in her presence. She’s around 10 years sober, so I would have coffee with her and wine with Oprah. The wine would help with the whole intimidation thing…
You work from home – what advice would you give to those who work remotely and not in an actual office? How do you stay motivated?
Get a calendar you can write in…with a pen! I’m not kidding…I’ve been keeping my calendar in my phone all year, but I just went to target and bought a bunch of colored pens and an old-fashioned date book with a new-school twist called a “Day Designer.” It allows me to set my top three priorities for the day, make weekly to-do lists and overall yearly goals. I can’t get over how much more productive I’ve been with it! As far as motivation, I really love what I do, and I know that the more I put into it, the more I get out. I would spend all day writing if I could, but there is work to be done first. I get it done faster when I remember that I can sit at my computer for the rest of the day if I want to, as long as I get my work done first. It helps!
Morning or night?
I can’t believe I’m saying this: morning! Lately, my husband has been setting a(bout seven) alarms to get us non-morning-people out of bed in the morning, and now I’m using that sacred time to write more and get my day together. There’s something about the light coming in through the windows and my morning cup of coffee…
Beach or mountains?
Yikes…I have to choose beach. The mountains are the most mesmerizing natural wonders we have, but every time we travel I find myself wanting to go somewhere with a beach. I’m a water baby at heart.
If you could go back and tell your 18 year old self something/a piece of advice/anything, what would it be?
You are going to be okay! Try to read fewer self-help books in college. Seriously: back AWAY from the Eckhart Tolle. I know that for some reason, you want to be a some hybrid between Oprah and an 80-year-old therapist with cats, but it’s okay to be silly and debaucherous and have too many beers and even puke a little. Lighten up! Your life is going to be amazing, even if (and especially if) you’re not perfect. Oh, and you’re going to gain about 20 pounds your freshman year of college and you’ll have to get rid of all the clothes that you didn’t lose from shipping them home to the wrong address. That’s going to be fine too. You will make yourself miserable trying to lose it, but you actually look pretty cute with a puffy face and you should embrace it, have a few more beers while you can and kick back. One more thing: for the love of all things good and holy, STOP dying your hair black and cool it with the spray tan. You’re going to meet your husband in a year and he’s going to think it’s really weird. But don’t worry – you’ll run into him in five years when you’ve de-Snooky-ed yourself and things will work out perfectly.
Thank you, Laura! LOVED having you on FPTP. xo Julie
Ah, I love Laura! Great feature.
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Laura loves you, Carrie! xoxo
Just wrote Laura yesterday saying I found her writings and thoughts “wondrous and wise”.
Laura puts a smile on my face everyday. Ben ( her husband ) and Laura ( my daughter )are the source of my daily happiness.
Thank you Julie for noticing. I don’t know you, but for today, I love you.
Love Wins
Robbie (Laura’s dad)
I love these interviews you do! Keep up the good work!
– Liz Lizo
http://www.LizLizo.com