Featured Interview With Sasha Laghonh
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a proud American that kicked off her journey on the West coast of the United States before bringing me full circle by introducing me to the East coast, Mid Atlantic and the beautiful Rockies. I’ve experienced my fair share of living in the city with clouds of pollution and construction starting at 7am as well I know the feeling of indulging in suburbia where I know my heart is at peace. It doesn’t take much to bribe me to run off to the water and mountains for a get away! Aside from North America, my life stories and travels have also taken me abroad introducing me to the wonderful ways of living. Travel is humbling because it teaches us to count our blessings and respect society’s way of living while learning about what life is truly about – living. Presently I’m splitting time in three time zones due to upcoming professional endeavors. As for pets, I wish I had a puppy but my lifestyle presently doesn’t support it because I spend 98% of my time away from home engaged in travel and working. Mama Sasha can definitely welcome the company of a puppy, one day.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved reading since I was a child. I recall going through an elementary phase where I started collecting Archie comics. Archie comics inspired me to pursue the creative arts through entertaining the art of drawing, oil painting, appreciating pastels and more. Reading is the gateway to many inspirations and acquiring other skills. As a kid I loved reading comics, murder mysteries and biographies. I initially started writing for school because students didn’t have a choice! I was encouraged to write because two of my teachers felt the topics I entertained, from social causes to current events, provided an educational platform for citizens to become involved in their communities on the local, state and global levels. As a humble (and initially a hesitant) student of writing, I continued the craft that allowed me to get published in the Library of Congress (unbeknownst to me!) and a few periodicals/magazines that covered the political landscape & human rights during my teen years. This also opened avenues for my work to be submitted in competitions that entertained legal, cultural and political science topics. My submissions were addressed quietly by faculty members knowing that I’d talk myself out of participating in these causes. I’m glad they had enough faith in me because I did end up winning a few of those writing competitions that showcased my rhetoric focusing on legal & political matters affecting our communities during that time period. The latter topics were chosen by the judging committees, participants had to entertain the challenge to formulate their thoughts that can impact people through the wide palette of seasoned ideas.
I tease people to learn their ABC’s because it grants them access to an entire world of creating art that can change lives for the better. Learn, educate others and make sure to produce a positive change in the world. Either we’re part of the problem or the solution. I’m not perfect but I know that I’d rather contribute to the world through positive engagement, even if it invites difference in opinions. Differences are what humanizes our species to become better at traveling this journey called life.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I appreciate the works of anyone that shares their intimate creativity in an engaging manner. Let’s see…F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Tim Ferriss, Stephen King, Vic Bloom; etc. I love mystery & thrillers, biographies/documentaries, business reads and comedy.
Everyday people inspire me in my writings. This includes people whom I cross paths with at coffee shops, during my travels and business visits and ideas that come to me while I’m either working out or showering. The flow of inspiration doesn’t have a time and place, one needs to be open to welcoming what we’re open to receiving. Be open to receiving positivity. Life is too short to walk around with angst and doubt. We’re humans doing our best and compassion goes a long way. It’s not always about who’s right and wrong, sometimes it comes down to just honoring a person’s right to be acknowledged. I know as a society we can be kinder to one another.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Departures: Smart Packing, of Life’s Essentials, for On-Time Arrivals” focuses on the basic variables of life that we should refine in the areas of communication, relationships, career, death and more. The book is not offering tips to readers, instead it’s exploring a few uncomfortable realities of life from different perspectives. Departures focuses on us having the choice to walk away for good from constructs we’ve outgrown, reinventing ourselves to survive this challenging life and also understanding that walking away from societal norms doesn’t compromise one’s ability to attain success. It’s material that encourages humans to engage in introspection rather than always looking outwards for happiness, success and answers that typically are manufactured by society to mislead those seeking an easy way out. I can’t give it all away! Definitely check it out, even if you make it past the index, I know that you’ve been kind to entertain the idea of Departures. We all are anchored to some aspect of our life that keeps us sane but there are anchors that need to be let go. Who’s ready to make that bold decision to make those changes in their life?
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