An Inspired Chat with Krishana Johnson-James

Krishana Johnson-James shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Krishana , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that brings me joy lately is writing children’s stories based on my experiences. I also enjoy helping women share their stories on my blog. There’s so much beauty, meaning, and inspiration in the stories we share with each other.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Krishana Johnson-James. I am a teacher, children’s author, musician, and blogger. I am passionate about helping children learn to read, develop a growth mindset, and social-emotional learning skills. I have played the piano for most of my life and value the lessons I learned from music teachers and music education programs. I wrote two children’s books, Planting a Song (2024) and There’s No One Just Like Me! (2022). My website, www.PlantingOurStories.com, shares details about my books, as well as a blog that showcases inspirational women and their stories, and life lessons. My goal is to inspire others to embrace and share their stories for personal growth and to motivate those around them.
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Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In my early teen years, the loss of my only sibling was a most pivotal moment in my life. At that young age, I immediately learned how quickly life can change, and gained a genuine appreciation for living life to its fullest. The difficult experience gifted me some interesting perspectives. Grief remains with you due to your deep love for that person; yet, with the passage of time, and most importantly, when you are ready to do so, you can choose to grow in this unexpected reality. I have learned not to take time and life for granted. Each day is a gift, and I believe we all have a special purpose, unique gifts and talents to share, and opportunities to encourage others through the sharing of our stories and life lessons.​

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I started learning to play the piano as a child. I loved the process of learning new songs, bit by bit, and enjoyed the journey of putting all the notes together to make beautiful music. At the same time, I was incredibly shy and nervous to play the piano in front of others. With the encouragement of my parents and people in my musical community, I pushed through this fear and feel grateful for the opportunities I’ve had over the years to accompany different choirs and singers, play for church services, and even teach piano lessons to young musicians. These experiences inspired me to write my book, Planting a Song.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to writing more children’s books because it’s a great way to help young readers learn important lessons and develop a joy for reading. I also wish to encourage more women to use their voices and share their unique stories in their own creative ways. Many people can be blessed and inspired by our life lessons and stories. I think it’s so important for us to document and share them with those around us now, as well as future generations.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing? 
I always wanted to be a teacher and feel grateful to work in the field of education. Being an author was also something important to me because I always loved reading and writing. It took a lot of courage to put them out there, but something I will never regret doing is self-publishing my children’s books. We all have special things to do and share with the world. Others may not understand your specific interests, and that’s okay. If it’s important and meaningful to you, then it’s worth exploring how you can make particular dreams come true. You will be proud of yourself for trying and/or making it happen. Either way, you can grow from whatever learning you get through mistakes and successful outcomes. Plant your stories. Your words matter. I can’t wait to hear yours, too!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Rohorn Jackson, LiFeLiNe MeDiA Ministries

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