Three Gifts in Cartagena
Spoiler alert: they were not what I expected
Hi, Hello, Happy New Year!
If you're new to, from the desk of Rachel Leeke, Welcome!
I share weekly observations on discipline, love, and travel. The aim is to develop my voice and share my journey as a wife who enjoys spending time in a book, on a plane, or at the top of the yoga mat.
Within each newsletter, I provide tools to support you in creating the confident, loving, and adventurous life you deserve.
Read up on my last newsletter here or the entirety of my work here.
Thank you to every single one of you who subscribes. There are currently 75 of you receiving my thoughts each week, and I aim to reach 100 subscribers by the end of February. Vulnerability is our greatest strength. Consider sharing what resonates.
The past two and a half months have been a creative respite. I shifted gears from total immersion in work to coming up for air, assessing, and deciding what would join me in 2024.
Some highlights include celebrating the holidays in Florida, meeting my Godson for the first time, watching the New York Philharmonic score Black Panther (so.freaking.good.), and celebrating my birthday in Cartagena, Colombia.
I'm hip to the intangible gifts of travel. New perspectives, heightened curiosity, and a deep feeling of belonging are some of the reasons I quickly grab my passport and a window seat. However, this year, while abroad, I was given three lessons as gifts.
#1 Take the message, ignore the messenger.
This one can be tricky. I realize a lot of things influence how we receive a message.
There's the tone of delivery, who is saying it, and the emotional state when listening. In my case, I'd looked for a response to my query for months, and though I got my answer - I wouldn't say I liked how it arrived. It wasn't gift-wrapped, didn't have crisp corners, and was missing a big festive bow. It did, however, have my name on it 😉.
It would be easy to get distracted by how it surfaced, but ultimately, deciding whether I am willing to integrate this new information is all that matters. The truth can hurt, but it can also propel you forward. Decide what you want to focus on.
#2 Ask for more.
Raise your hand if you've ever set your sights on a goal, committed to it, did the work, and then, for whatever reason, was shocked when your investment started to bear fruit?
(Puts two hands in the air)
I find it easy to joyfully give, but receiving is a different story. This means that if you're similar to me, you might not address the wholeness of your needs or possibly sideline them altogether. There's no honor in shrinking yourself. There's no way to gain what you don't ask for. The world needs the most courageous version of you - the you that moves unapologetically towards peace. Asking for more had me following behind a flight attendant for extra packs of sugar because my coffee was still bitter.
My thinking is simple: I'm not afraid to be seen trying.
If the trying is towards creating the most pleasure-centered version of myself, bring it on.
#3 Touch Base
Rest is an integral part of success. Throughout high school and college, the Fridays prior to a weekend track meet were all about applying heat packs, recovering in ice baths, and massaging sore muscles in preparation for the following day's events. I'm clear that operating outside of our comfort zone, whether physically or emotionally, requires the same amount of intention and recovery. Touching base is my way of returning to the rituals that support an invigorated return to my ambitions. Pouring from an empty cup is out. It’s abundance all 2024. I hear a solo trip calling my name.
Have a fantastic start to the week. I’m rooting for you.
<3, RL
LET ME KNOW:
Did this hit?
What lesson has 2024 already taught you?
When did you last solo travel? Where did you go?
What’s “base” for you? Is it a daily, monthly, or seasonal renewal?
Travel reminds me most boundaries are imagined. Here are more journeys:
- A mirror in a book and a trainyard in Brooklyn
- Flying to Jamaica to run back to myself
- Football and life lessons in North Carolina
- Pulling weeds in Philadelphia
- A false summit in Burlington and the hills of life
It hit!
There were so many parts of this post that spoke to me. But, "The truth can hurt, but it can also propel you forward. Decide what you want to focus on." I felt that in my chest. Thank you for writing this and sharing with all of us!