Laura Rodben
Bio
Stray polyglot globetrotter and word-weaver. Languages have been "doors of perception" that approach the world and dilute/delete borders. Philosophy, literature, art and meditation: my pillars.
https://laurarodben.substack.com/
Stories (33)
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Mountain Nostalgia
After reading about this Scandinavian concept of hygge, I could only think of mountains. I have always liked them (despite having had a childhood surrounded by buildings rather than beautiful peaks). I always felt this Heimweh for the mountains combined with a Wanderlust that did not last long: I would explore my surroundings with my bike as a teen, and then go as far as my legs would let me (to the Rockies, to the Andes, to the Pyrenees).
By Laura Rodben10 months ago in Fiction
My Editing Voices. Honorable Mention in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
—So the prompt says: Tell us your story and explain why you deserve a hygge-desk the most. —First of all, reintroduce me to hygge, I remember the Norwegian expression “Hyggelig å møte deg” sort of the equivalent to “Nice to meet you”, but hyggelig is deeper ?
By Laura Rodben10 months ago in Critique
On a Peculiar Morning
Ever since I can remember I have had this crush on mountains. Perhaps because when I was still in the womb my parents would go hiking; perhaps because as a kid I could always relate to Heidi, living surrounded by buildings rather than beautiful peaks. I always felt this Heimweh that did not last long: as soon as I could, I went as far as my legs would let me: to the Pyrenees, to the Rockies, to the Alps.
By Laura Rodben10 months ago in Humor
Black (Fear/Forgiveness)
We need to dispel the myth that empathy is ‘walking in someone else’s shoes.’ Rather than walking in your shoes, I need to learn how to listen to the story you tell about what it’s like in your shoes and believe you even when it doesn’t match my experiences. BRENÉ BROWN
By Laura Rodben12 months ago in The Swamp
I need to write
I need to write, I want to write, I have to write. All the different spheres of my life popping up, piling up. Can I have it all? (You can.) I want to become a better being (academia-meditation); I want to take care of them all (academia-business); I want to help heal the world (business-academia-meditation). Is that what you wish for? Yes. I feel responsible somehow, having received so much, it’s time for me to give something back, go beyond. I’m not much driven anymore by my artistic-intellectual/travelling appetites (though they will always be there: they blended together, they are my very voice and being (cannot be otherwise indeed)), now I just want them to be ok, my beloved ones. Somehow I am now the tool (the how) to make all that happen (the why). (Can I do it? Can I do it? Of course you can! “Tú puedes, tú siempre puedes”) “Quién tiene un por qué siempre encontrará un cómo”. I have it now and time is running out. (They won’t be here forever.) I’ll come back here, anytime I lose track. Now, go!
By Laura Rodben12 months ago in Writers
L(ov/if)e Story
[A combination of “Letters of Gratitude” and “The Sountrack of Your Year” challenges] . . My love, We are reaching the end of this first year, 2024, with no interruption of you in my mind and I want to thank you for your constant presence in my nomad life. I want to give you something that would remain in our minds no matter the passing-by of years to come. Since I know you love music as much as I do, this letter will be a humble musical depiction of what my world looked like/felt like throughout the year. I want you to see how, even when you were not physically there at times, you were always there with me.
By Laura Rodbenabout a year ago in Beat
