Lanilea Ledingham is a Public Relations Consultant at the Red Deer College. Her first book Bright Red Trousers, is her personal account of leaving her job, selling her car, renting out her home and heading to England to reconnect with her life’s purpose.
Lani is also a prairie girl with big dreams. Though she has worked in Communications for four years, life sometimes still renders her speechless. She is a self-proclaimed “dabbler” who likes to try different things and create new experiences, but consistently loves God, strong coffee and traveling.
Her motto? Always dream.
I interviewed Lani at the beginning of 2010 as she prepared for a public reading of her book in Red Deer and because I think she’s a great example of someone whose life is proof you can have the cake and eat it too.
Andrew Kooman: The title of your book is intriguing. What’s the story behind the bright red trousers?
Lanilea Ledingham: Before I went to England I emailed back and forth with the two teachers I lived with, Philip and Verity. A common question I ask people is “how did you meet?” Philip responded with the tale of how they could’ve met much earlier in life (due to decisions and geography) yet their paths didn’t cross until university when he came over to her flat to hang out with her roommie one night. She bounded down the stairs to answer the door, and they were both wearing bright red trousers. When Philip told me this story he finished with “Are some things just meant to be?” The title kind of stuck from there. The thought that “bright red trousers” moments come to us all when least expected yet they’re the ones that change us the most!
AK: Can you describe the space you were in when you jet setted off to England? A lot of people talk about pursuing their dream, traveling, taking that risk, and never do. What launched you into this adventure?
LL: Umm, I was frustrated! I felt like I wasn’t going anywhere creatively. I needed a change. I have always been the kind of person that has a lofty imagination and the thought hit me that it actually was going to take action, and when you’re young and single and have fairly low responsibilities, that’s the time to take the chances. So, I did! I think sometimes what it takes is the dissatisfaction of average and that “there must be more” than everyday life. And then that’s where the real journey begins.
A few months prior to my actual decision to just “GO” I had sat down with a couple real friends and for two hours they listened to me rant about what I would do if money weren’t an option. We wrote all over a piece of paper what my dreams really were. It got me thinking again and re-birthed something that had been asleep for a few years. That really was the turning point – to find an adventure!
AK: Do you have any regrets about selling your car, quitting your job, and leaving home behind?
LL: No regrets at all. It was exactly what I needed at that point in my life. Scary as all get out, since I didn’t really have a plan! But it was God’s timing for me to do something a little out of the ordinary and trust that He would lead me a day at a time. The hardest part was really just deciding to go — then everything came together after that.
AK: What are some key lessons you learned when you were away from home and how did you learn them?
LL: I did A LOT of soul searching since I had much more time on my own and less schedule. It probably took a couple weeks for me to get used to being “okay” with not having a plan for every day! Sounds crazy, but I needed to unwind and just ‘be’. One night after supper Philip said to me when he saw me staring blankly at my laptop, “Ya know, it’s okay if you don’t have anything to write tonight.” I was like “really?!” For me, I felt like there was expectations, completely self-imposed, that at the end of my time in England I would have everything in life figured out. I would have conquered myself and the world and be able to write to tell others how to do it. That’s a lot of pressure! I realized that perhaps God just wanted to take me away to learn to “just be”, enjoy Him and His goodness, and remember what it is that makes me come alive. That was a big lesson, and one I think in coming back to a busy society I still have to remind myself about. I answer to no one else but God and sometimes the only thing He says is “It’s okay.”
I learned that creativity cannot survive in a timeslot. It isn’t planned. It can’t be dictated to. Sometimes the most creative thoughts come at night when you’re trying to sleep or when you’re cooking. It’s not often convenient. So sometimes you just need to allow your brain to function and speak to you when it’s ready. I can’t sit down and force myself to write brilliance. I do find however that my most creative times and “sparks” are when I am really connecting and growing in my walk with God.
Hmmm, what else did I learn… I honestly had many “ah ha” moments where I realized the greatness of God to allow me to have such an adventure. I was surrounded by people who loved me, both back home and in England. I had the privilege of meeting new people, learning a new country and it’s way of doing things and the time with which to grow myself. Not many people are afforded that opportunity. I just felt very thankful.
AK: Do you think you could have learned these things if you had stayed at home in your routine? If not (or if so) what is it about traveling, or the myth of traveling, in your experience, about making a risk, that is so life changing?
LL: Routine can be such a groaner on life. We get used to it not realizing that maybe there is something more. And I’m not saying everyone should quit their jobs and move away, I’m saying sometimes we need to change things up a bit and allow ourselves to grow and try something new.
When you travel you see all that you are capable of. You learn how to book tickets, ride the tube, introduce yourself to strangers, try new foods, live a whole new culture. It’s very invigorating and not something that can be delivered through YouTube or the internet in quite the same way! I think after each travelling experience I’ve done, I come back with a new appreciation for my life at home, the greater world, and myself and all I can really do in life if I let myself. Travelling opens the eyes up so much and really gives a greater understanding of oneself as well. Highly recommended!
AK: What was the writing process like for you as you put together this work? How did the story emerge and evolve?
LL: Many things for me start with a title. And for this one it was of course, the bright red trousers story. I thought “huh, I gotta do something with that!” While I was in England I wrote a couple short films, but did a lot of personal faith writing and my journey on life. That is mostly what the book is – there’s only one chapter with any fiction in it. When I came back, it was really a mentor and a friend that said “You need to write a book!” So, as the winter months entered, I gave myself some deadlines and began looking over what I wrote in England and how I wanted to tell the story of Bright Red Trousers. I wanted to share my own personal journey in a vulnerable way, because you never know what could help someone else. I also wanted to make it very much about the country of England, because I really love that place! Thus the “England Snippet” chapter titles in the book. I wrote. I edited. I read. And finally I felt it showed my journey thus far in a way I was proud to share.
AK: How would you describe the book and who is its targeted audience?
LL: It really is more for women, because I am a “flowery” writer. Yet I’ve had guy friends tell me they were enthralled as well. I sell it to guys like this “It’s short and makes a great bathroom read!” You can read it in a night. Ideally, it’s for young 20-somethings still pursuing their dreams and looking for someone else along that journey.
AK: What metaphors do you draw on in your day to day life as you balance your career, your dreams, and your faith?
LL: Hmmm, metaphors. A big word for a writer J Honestly? When I need balance I go to my Bible. I go to my mentors. And I go to my schedule to see where my priorities are. I like this quote by Joyce Meyer “Enjoy where you’re at while you’re on the way to where you’re going.” Anything, good or bad, in life will change so we might as well learn to enjoy the journey. And the thing is, each person has a unique journey so there’s no use comparing it to someone else’s! I hope that answers that! LOL
AK: To me it is inspiring when artists give from their work toward important causes. What is the Home of Hope Rwanda and how did you decide to give proceeds of the book to it?
LL: Home of Hope was birthed out of a Pastor at my church four years ago and since then I’ve wanted to go. Obviously, my travel has taken me elsewhere so far. It is an orphan care facility where 1 widow takes care of 8 orphans in a home-style building. Many of the widows have received help in starting businesses. We already have four churches started in Rwanda and over 500 kids sponsored. It has really grown since it started which goes to show people want to contribute and there is a definite need in Africa.
So for me, I thought a great way to start getting my writing out there is to attach it to a cause, and at the same time I can contribute to the kids in Africa until I can get there myself! The printing was sponsored locally (HUGE blessing) so the only thing it cost me was time.
AK: What are you working on, creatively, now?
LL: I did a lot of photography last year and that was a new creative challenge for me. I love a great picture and the feeling you get when you’ve delivered to a family a great memory.
I am teaching a drama class locally with a Christian Theatre Group so that is expanding my own experience in theatre and where I want to go. And I do want to get Bright Red Trousers officially published and out there on more shelves!
AK: What advice do you have for people who are on the verge of making a leap of faith, or a creative, life-changing risk?
LL: If you don’t do it, you’ll always wonder if you could have. Regret is an ugly thing to live with. One thing I always do when I feel a change is needed or coming down the path is start looking into opportunities. Internet is a great resource now. England started with an email to a friend who had a relative. That got me a free place to stay and a wonderful church family to be a part of. If I hadn’t of done that, England may never of happened. You just never know!
Prayer. Pray with a mentor that the right doors will open up. You’ll want their support too when you take your leap of faith! I think more and more I realize that I can’t do life on my own and God has surrounded me with Himself and amazing people to help on the journey. We need each other!
And I would also say, never never never give up. Well, that’s what Winston Churchill said J It’s just never an option when you have a dream in your heart. It may take 5, or 50 years, but just never give up and you’ll make it there. I often picture myself standing under the spotlight in this theatre I’m going to build (read the book and you’ll know more about my dream!). When I can see the vision it reminds me that it can be reality and it will take a lot of work!
AK: Where’s your next adventure?
LL: OY! I like to travel somewhere new every year. This year nothing is yet booked, but it’ll come!
