Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley S King.

Hi Lesley S, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

From a young age, I had a passion for travel and writing. So when I chose a job, I chose to be a travel writer. This journey took me to beautiful places all over the world. I started out writing articles for New Mexico Magazine, and soon was offered a monthly column. Each month I would travel to some small town in the state, where I would learn the story of the place from its residents. I would take photographs and video, and then write an article.

Soon, my work took me farther afield. I was hired to write and be the talent for a series of art/travel videos. We trekked into remote Navajo land to see ancient ruins, went to Czech Republic to tour Bohemian castles, and to Israel to explore ancient spiritual sites, among other destinations. For various magazines, I also wrote about a cooking school in Provence, France, the magical light of Tuscany, Italy, and an ecolodge in Costa Rica.

Though I absolutely loved this travel, after many years, my body grew weary. I knew I had to pivot to a job that was more nurturing. I wasn’t sure what this new work would be, so I kept asking inward. One day, the message came in a simple sentence: “Your content is now.” I realized that on my website I was already writing essays about the “Adventure of Spirituality.” These were so fun to write, and a number of readers had responded favorably to them, so I continued writing them and putting them out in the world. It was as though my travel writing had moved inward.

After a year of blogging, I combined my posts into a book. I continued to write this way, creating a series of books that I fully enjoyed making, and that is where my work has landed. I simply write about the journey of soul as it adventures in the world. It is fun and fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Like any road, this journey definitely had its potholes and major road construction. For example, early in my travel writing career, I landed an assignment to interview a notable author. I was so excited that I was speeding along a country road. I didn’t see the police car hiding behind a bush, so I got an $85 ticket. I was only being paid $75 for the article, so by the time the interview started, I was already $10 in the hole. Still, I persevered.

As well as obstacles such as this, as I built my writing business, many naysayers told me again and again that it was impossible to make a living as a writer. My own father was among these skeptics, offering to send me to dental school, all expenses paid if I would just give up my dream. I did my best to ignore the negative comments and forge ahead, and after many years even my father came around. He loved traveling in New Mexico with me and became one of my biggest fans.

When you travel a lot, your body meets plenty of challenges. I got amoebic dysentery in Kenya, food poisoning in France, and reacted to some shrimp in Angel Fire, NM, my face and hands swelling up, but I continued onward.

My biggest challenge was when I started publishing my own books. I had to manifest so much courage to go my own direction, away from the traditional publishing world where I had grown comfortable. To this day, each time I release a new book, I have to navigate doubt and fear. However, I just keep writing and publishing, and soon enough, I forget about those stymying emotions and “just do it!”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I write and publish books about the adventure of spirituality. Also, I take photos to illustrate my writing. The goal for all of it is to inspire readers to see the beauty in all life, whether in gentle or challenging experiences. Rather than seeing life as a series of random happenings, the spiritual teaching I am involved with asks us to find the lesson in all that happens in our lives, so that we can grow and live and create more fully.

When living from this viewpoint, life becomes like a game, and the goal is to stay as centered as possible while the challenges come. It’s like sitting on a river bank and watching life, rather than getting tossed about by the rapids. When I hold onto this viewpoint, I live to give. I realize that all the love is within me, so I really need very little from the world. Soul lives by giving, so my goal is to listen to the quiet voice inside and then do my best to send that loving message out into the world.

While many paths emphasize trying to better one’s outer life, the teachings I am involved with emphasize connecting with the divine Source within and sending that love into the world. The focus stays inside, rather than out. And yet, by holding steady in the love, I know that I am manifesting a loving vibration, and this is transformative for those I meet along the way and for the world at large.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

So many beautiful people have helped me in my journey. When I first started writing, an old friend, Daniel Gibson, helped me understand the basics of being a freelance writer. Once I started writing, a slew of editors taught me how to do my job better and better. Tricia Ware, Ashely Biggers, Ginger Richardson, among many others, guided me in this journey.

In the late 90s, I came under the tutelage of spiritual Master Sri Gary Olsen, and his guidance helps me connect to my true self. This led to my new career of writing about spirituality. He reminds me again and again that all I seek is inside of me, and that the outer world is but a dream to teach me how to manifest yet more love, and how to give that love to others.

Lastly, my family and friends always encouraged my journey, especially my mother, Barbara Doolittle. She was a free spirit, and she wanted me to follow my heart. She often joined me in my travels and sometimes helped financially. As well, my close friends, Julie Zimber and Lori Goetz cheer me on and help shore me up when my courage flags; my mate, Amalesh Krien, encourages me to keep putting my work out there; as do other fabulous friends and colleagues.

Pricing:

• My books cost less than $13, and are available for free through Kindle Unlimited
• My blog at www.lesleysking.com is free

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lesleysking.com
• Instagram: @lesleysking
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lesleysking
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lesleysking
• Youtube: @lesleysking

Image Credits

Lesley on horse: Amalesh Krien
other photos by Lesley S. King