Tag Archives: books

Notes From the 6 Train: Work On Purpose

This past week was the end of my summer internship at the Laundromat Project! It was incredible internship and I’m so glad that I did it! I’ve made new friends, met people in my field and was added to the LP’s list serve. This is a huge deal because now I will access to a variety of different opportunities that I never would known about it before.

During our graduation lunch we received a number of gifts, one of which I want to share with you all! All of the interns were gifted with the book “Work On Purpose,” which is about “the stories of five social entrepreneurs and their journeys from struggle and uncertainty to significance and success.”

The reoccurring adage of the book is “Heart + Head = Hustle.”

These stories are important to hear because for many people the road to meaningful careers isn’t always a straight path. Hearing about the winding paths of several successful and fulfilled people is reassuring. In addition, the book is written in an easy to follow way. with stunning photos, and a variety of activities in the book to supplement the chapters.

I haven’t made my way through the entire book, but I foresee it as a tool that I will continue to draw on, especially with graduation right around the corner. I encourage you all to check it out!

All Things Color, Love & Fashion,
Ayanna Lane

Notes From The 6 Train: Read Your Way To Inner Peace

As a follow up to my most recent post I have a few exploratory works that may assist you in the your winter time of self discovery.

The following books are on the more metaphysical side, which is perfect since you will have the plenty of time to mull them over once the snow begins to pour down upon us. To align with the idea of looking back, we can use these creations to help us shape our future.

This is the version I purchased

Tao Te Ching
I’ve read and caught glimpses of the Tao Te Ching but it wasn’t until this semester that I’ve read this holy text in it’s entirety. The Tao Te Ching is the primary text used by Taoists. I don’t use the Tao Te Ching for religious reasons, but as a guide and reminder as how to move through life. In the simplest terms, its simply to exist in the middle, displaying balance during the most ecstatic and the most challenging time times of life.

Here are a few chapters from the Tao Te Ching:

Chapter 9:

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

Chapter 19:
Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won’t be any thieves.

If these three aren’t enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.

The Untethered Soul

This is one of my cherished books. It was gifted to me from a really important mentor in my life, (which if you don’t know have a mentor, not just a career oriented one, but also people who support your growth in other ways, be open to getting one).
This book is about moving outside of your immediate self and living life as if “there were a knife suspended above your head.” Because essentially, there is. Reading this book has the same of impact of having a near death experience, without the melodramatics, you end up with the same feeling of wanting to live your life to its fullest capacity.

I hope these tools gets you started on your quest for inner serenity once the weather becomes absolutely crazy. If you can find peace during New York winters, you might be the next Dali Lama.

All things Color, Love, & Fashion,
Ayanna L.

Notes From The 6 Train: Thanking Nelson Mandela

(Look, we’re famous!)

This past week FIT I also went to the Nelson Mandela commemoration/ celebration of life. Hosted by the Diversity Council and the FIT Gospel Choir, it was one of the elegant events I’ve been to at FIT. I walked into a room was filled with multicolored lights around the ceiling, and the calling of African drums. I used to take west African dance classes, so the drums were a sound I didn’t even know I missed until I heard it again. I enjoyed seeing the Gospel Choir perform, as it was my first time, they even had a dancers to go along with the performances.This was was my first time seeing the Gospel Choir perform and being from the south, seeing gospel live affects me. I was never into church, but I can always appreciate a he artful gospel song. They also spoke about Mandela’s extraordinary life and accomplishments. If you don’t know who Nelson Mandela is, he was the man responsible for tearing down apartheid in South Africa ( a system very much like segregation in the United States), spent almost thirty years imprisoned because he was the forefront of the anti-apartheid movement. After his release, however, he was voted to become South Africa’s president.

They also welcomed us into his life by more than just words. Through food, art and by spreading his words, people were taught about the life of Nelson Mandela. At each table there was traditional food from South Africa. An FIT alumni made these huge prints of Mandela that was signed by all who attended the event was sent to the Nelson Mandela family, and his foundation to show our appreciation and support of everything he did.

( Look at the goodies I left with!)

At the end they raffled off books. I actually won one! Hooray. When I left, I left with a heart full of gratitude, a stomach full of South African memories and a book to continue my learning.The Diversity Council and the Gospel Choir put on a great event. I would definetly go another event they host.

All things Color, Love & Fashion,

Ayanna L.