Life & Work with Jaylin Leslie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaylin Leslie.

Hi Jaylin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was fifteen when I met my best friend. I remember he wrote his number down in my notebook after I rejected him a few times. We never stopped speaking after that. He was the first person to know my dreams, fears, and life behind closed doors. In fact, at the time, he was the only person who saw me. We kept in touch as I transferred schools and grew throughout my adolescent years, but as fate would have it, we would remain, friends, until the seasons changed and our relationship blossomed to an end.

There is a verse in my book where I mention how branches snap and leave whither, but the roots remain. My best friend was one of the roots at the beginning of this beautiful becoming. Whenever I was in a dark space, I would call him, and we would share our family issues and talk about where we would be in our adult lives, careers, the things we would build, and the art we wanted to contribute to the world.

When glancing from the rearview at these critical moments where our divine selves receive nurturing, I’ve come to understand that there isn’t anyone who is entirely self-made. It is with God and those who cross paths that help provide an understanding of our gifts and nurture a sense of belief within ourselves for our journeys.

I’ve pivoted since our relationship, but I’ve remained in the arts. I am writing a story where only God gets the glory.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing up in a city where art and writing are not the modes of creativity has been the biggest challenge. It’s maximizing where you are but realizing where you are. It’s not making excuses but coming to terms with reality. That has been my greatest challenge thus far. What do you do when you’ve gathered all your resources?

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Winnicott once said that artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide. N.H said, “as a writer, you try to listen to what others are not saying and write about the silence.”

I felt as though I was more than a writer. I did a few things well. I found interest in film and a desire to love and share my light with the world. It was interesting because I always found myself aggressively trying to protect it.

I am most proud of my resilience. Life is far from easy. I remember my grandma telling me as early as six that only the strong survive in the world. You never know if your dreams will become a reality, but you can be brave enough and bold enough to trust yourself to figure it out either way.

I am an individual and a strong advocate for authenticity. Being in alignment with who I am will always set me apart from the rest.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
It takes a little to make me happy. I believe I was born with a cheery disposition. I’ve walked alongside sadness. I am familiar with the two types of pain. I know grief, and I understand loss. It’s the simple things for me, like reading my books and sharing ideas that can empower and inspire others. For me, it’s conversing with others, spending time with my family, and sharing what I’ve learned. It’s the little rays of sunshine that greet me in the mornings. It’s seeing a unique bird. It’s the presence of a butterfly. It’s a home-cooked meal, its laughter with my friends, giving hugs to a stranger, its spring water, and the ability to make someone’s day. Happiness is an expression, poetry, painting, writing, and creating with my innate gifts. Its purpose.

These things make me happy because they give my life meaning. These are just a few things that make me feel lively and assure me that I am on my divine path, and it costs little to nothing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/jaylinleslie