Meet Tai’Leah-Tre’Ci Paige | Artist & Intuitive Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tai’Leah-Tre’Ci Paige and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tai’Leah, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My balance has changed over time so much and not only because of age; but most of all — for self preservation. I think we’re born with the innate knowledge or idea that we should be producing as much as society tells us to produce.

We’re programmed to believe that we have to keep up with the mass production of goods and services that is apparent in our society right now, especially in America. And throughout my spiritual journey I’ve learned so much about how to honor my Feminine Energy. This is more slow — receiving energy versus giving energy.

I’ve learned how to cultivate the balance of my femininity for self preservation because if I were to match up with society’s standards, I believe I would be using and abusing myself for external validation or for any other self harming reason.

With maturity and wisdom, you learn that the preservation of self is key to survival. This world is filled with chaos and where change is inevitable. In order to survive in an environment like that, you have to master the art of finding the balance and maintaining your peace. It’s not optional.

I’ve also learned recently how balance shows up every day. Some of us are analytical minded and logical; we may assume it’s a 1:1 balanced ratio every day but that’s so far from the truth. Balance can look like a 60/40 ratio, it can look like 70/30. That’s been my biggest challenge so far is accepting whatever balance looks like on a daily basis and not forcing myself out of that balance. It’s imperative for my health and my self preservation. Now that I know this, I can set new expectations for myself that can lead to more confidence and self worth!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would say my art is ever evolving with time as I am. I’m always creating something that has to do with life lessons, purpose, spiritual transformation, and more recently my black femininity. I’m most proud that my inner child created. No matter what happened or what I went through, I was still able to transmute that energy and leave things for my future self to stay motivated and inspired to continue creating.

I would say I got to where I am today professionally by always staying hungry for growth. I feel like I’m always trying to improve so there really is no ceiling. Time is ever evolving and changing too so there’s always new inspiration popping up. It’s all about staying observant, maintaining self confidence and also about seeking experienced naturally and intuitively. Make sure you’re growing and actually living not just to keep up with whatever is going on outside of yourself.

Pursuing a dream is never easy — keeping the Faith is even harder but really tapping into a perspective shift when it comes to challenges in the first place is where things are getting a little easier. Challenges are mere opportunities for us to show up and create a miracle. A chance to build a bridge for ourselves using our imaginations. It’s definitely a lot easier said than done. But one of the most important Lessons I’ve received, is that the Lesson is the valuable aspect of the challenge. There is already a solution to most if not all of our problems. But what is our relationship to that problem? and what advice should we apply to our lives moving forward? We shouldn’t take everyone’s advice seriously; some advice even, is so important to take with a grain of salt if it’s not in alignment with your dreams and goals. Those who are on the same path as you, or those who have similar experiences have a lot of advice to give. I believe, though, that we have everything we need within us already to get us to our dreams. The answers and stepping stones come, one at a time. But they do come.

I want and need the world to know that it took so much time for me to get to this point in my Life. A lot of deliberate work went into the creation of myself and managing my internal world with so much specificity, that my external world had no other choice but to show up the way I was creating it to be. I want people to know the same is possible for them. Whether or not they think they’ve strayed too far from their path, or they don’t have what it takes; they might believe it only happens to one type of person. That type of person is you. See me as an example. If I can do it, so can you. It took plain ol’ patience & discipline, yes, Most importantly it took Faith. It’s that work that’s most important, that’s the greatest challenge and all you need is a little bit every day to keep going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them on a hike, for sure. Anyone who knows me, knows I be out in these woods. There are some I know with some incredible views of the city, so I would either begin or end our days that way. I’m a chef at heart, so I really would offer to cook for the week before spending tooo much going out but if I had the day off or something I would probably start us off somewhere Downtown for Breakfast, maybe Hilltop, since they have a location there now. Then we’d head to South Central for the afternoon. Stop by Reparations Books Store to grab some gifts. Drive through Crenshaw and visit Gorilla RX, LA’s first Black Woman Owned Dispensary is a MUST. I’d definitely need to stop by Nappily Naturals for some smell goods, herbs and personal care products since we’re in the area. We gon’ be hungry after that so a lunch break at Baba’s Vegan Cafe will be the wave. After that, I’m always down for a walk in Venice Beach. Especially if the weather is on point that day.

There are a lot of places I still haven’t been myself but I’m always wanting to visit South Central LA for the best food. I love Nature, so a mix of Mountain and Beach is always the most beautiful spots of the city, in my opinion. Some of the most fun, interesting and exciting things, people, places and things to check out are all over LA and that’s my favorite part of growing up and living here. The Valley has it’s own vibe and has an arrangement of small taquieras and the best Hispanic Food I’ve tasted. Downtown and East LA is it’s own little neighborhood with the city Life and small markets, Arts + Flower District that’s so interesting. Pasadena, Burbank, Culver City all Media districts with network studios making you really feel like this is Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood. Speaking of – Hollywood, West Hollywood and Santa Monica also have some of the most interesting folks. Of course, my favorite spots are biased because I was born there, but the food, community and group activities are the best part about the South Central community.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many individuals who deserve a shoutout and recognition when it comes to my success and my story. First of all my twin sister, Tay’Laur. We had such a rough childhood, having someone who you can confide in about everything and is just your anchor in Life, that is my sister for Me. Second, our grandmother, who raised us — Valerie. She has one of the most incredible stories of a single black woman who did everything she could for her family and more. I’m so blessed to have been apart of that story in one of the most amazing ways. I witnessed so much strength, perseverance and dedication. She’s really where I get it from. My parents — Tiffany and Tracy — for choosing to have me despite how young they were, how difficult it might have been; just for having me out of pure Love.. I know I’m the product of pure Love. All of my siblings! I used to have so much anxiety over how many sisters and brothers I have, and now it just feels like the biggest blessing to be surrounded by so much Love. We Love each other so much and so purely, it’s everything you want in a family. My second family, my best friends of over 20, 15, 10 years. As I’m getting older I’ve realized how much having long term friendships is a rarity in our society or is becoming less and less of a common circumstance. I’ve received unconditional Love from my Friends. It was something that grew over time and is to this day one of the most special & most cherished experiences of my life. Our success and where we are in Life is most certainly thanks to the efforts of other folks who have not only believed in us but also had to have believed in a little part of themselves that they see in us. My paternal grandmother and grandfather believe in Me like I’ve never experienced before. And I think it’s all about that youthful grit and imagination that older folks believe they lose over time. The black community, has held me. From the culture, to local gatherings; the Healing I’ve received in safe spaces has been indescribable. Finally, last and certainly not least, I owe everything and all credit to God. I was never confused about where my security really was, and for that, I’m blessed. The cultivation of an intimate relationship with the Divine and all the forces surrounding us, has opened my heart, mind and spiritual consciousness. This relationship led me to the tools that keep me enlightened, humble, compassionate and forgiving. I owe my attitude, my aura and my stability to all these things combined.

Website: soulfulightla.com

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Image Credits
Bri Ellis, Alvin Enchilada, Jay Lamars, Sonia Mendoza