We were lucky to catch up with Zuri Lioness recently and have shared our conversation below.
Zuri, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
“Chottomatte onegaishimasu”
One rainy evening, I was walking through the streets of Japan with my 4-year-old son. The rain began to fall without warning, the streets glistened, footsteps moved quickly, echoing around us. I had no umbrella, completely unprepared, but we kept on walking.
Being in a new country with a young child already felt like a leap into the unknown. Every day brought small challenges, unfamiliar signs, and quiet doubts. But this night reminded me that sometimes, taking risks leads to unexpected kindness.
As we walked, a man called out to us, “chottomatte onegaishimasu.” Please wait a moment. My heart raced, why was he stopping us? We were alone, foreign, and unsure.
Then, he ran back into his restaurant. Moments later, he returned, gently placing an umbrella in my hands with a bow.
No words, just a gesture. A simple act of care.
It was in that moment I realized that stepping into the unknown can be frightening, but it’s in those uncertain spaces where the most beautiful human connections are waiting.
It seems simple, but it is a recent experience that impacted me so much.
I’ve always been someone who embraces risks, someone ready to take a leap and try something new. Even on this night, in the rain, I knew it was a risk walking late but I wouldn’t be able to embrace these impactful experiences if I hadn’t.
Leaving home for college was my first bold step, and from that moment on, each new challenge felt a little easier to face.
That’s not to say it’s always easy. Doubts still creep in from time to time, and I’ve had to acknowledge that taking risks can be intimidating.
So fast forwarding to when my family and I decided to spend months abroad, the questions came rushing in: Will we be accepted? Will the language barrier become a problem? Can I truly adapt and respect the cultural etiquette?
These are natural fears, but I’ve learned that they don’t have to stop you. Taking the first step is often the hardest, but it’s also the most important.
Doubts like these are natural, and no matter where I go, they occasionally resurface. But I’ve learned that if I let those doubts speak louder than my curiosity or determination, I’ll miss out on the growth and opportunities waiting on the other side.
From the moment I left for college, far from family and friends; I began to embrace risk more fully. With each new challenge, the rewards grew.
And this was just the beginning.
Zuri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Zuri Lioness, that’s me! A children’s book author and creative director passionate about stories that center on adventure, courage, and exploring the world. What began as the journey of a young girl from a small city who moved to a big one has evolved into a career creating stories that empower and uplift.
Before becoming a published author, I spent years working as a nanny while finishing college. I also dedicated time to mission work and travel, exploring countries like Chile and Haiti. These experiences gave me rich insights to different ways of life that now inform my stories.
In college, my favorite subject was scriptwriting. That love for storytelling, paired with a passion for children’s literature and global exploration, led me to write books that inspire young readers to embrace adventure and see the world as a place full of possibilities.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to bring diverse books to countries where there may be little representation, helping foster inclusivity across the world. Exploring the world with my family has always been deeply meaningful to me and not only as a personal experience, but to inspire and educate children about places and cultures beyond their everyday surroundings. Through my writing, I aim to open young minds to the beauty and diversity of the world.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Those strengthened arms that squeeze the book tightly, and the biggest brightest smiles that fills the face of a child that wants to read a book I created for them fuels my purpose. Not only do children gain knowledge, but they also gain a desire to explore the world through their own eyes and create experiences they have for a lifetime.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Zurilioness.com
- Instagram: Zurilionessbooks
Image Credits
Takamitsu Yagi