An Interview with Carrie Lehtonen

Carrie Lehtonen is an entrepreneur, passionate animal advocate, and storyteller. Her work has been featured in Elephant Journal, YOGA+ Life, and Well magazine. She earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and spent over eighteen years working in Human Resources. After surviving a heart attack at thirty-one years old, Carrie chose to pursue an education in health and wellness. Carrie attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. She also trained to become a Registered Yoga Teacher and Educator. Carrie eventually left her career in Human Resources to start her own business, Firefly Community LLC. Pawsitive Perspectives is Carrie’s first book.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have loved to read since I was very young. I grew up in a small town in rural New Hampshire, so books were my way to experience the world outside of my bubble. My high school English teacher got me interested in writing. Her class was challenging, and she had us write multiple drafts of every paper until it was refined enough to make the point in as few words as possible. This way of editing my work made me a better writer and planted the seed that would grow into a passion for words. It took me many years to start calling myself a writer and even longer to decide to publish a book.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I spent nearly twenty years working in Human Resources before leaving the corporate world to focus solely on running my own health and wellness business, Firefly Community LLC. I’ve been providing health coaching, teaching yoga, and leading retreats around the world for over ten years now.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The subtitle of my book, Life Lessons from the Shelter Dog Who Became Queen, was my working title while I was writing the book. My editor suggested the title Pawsitive Perspectives after reading the manuscript. I adopted the title right away because it was so fitting for the story.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Once I was able to hold a physical copy of my book in my hands, it hit me that this was actually happening, and my book would be available around the world. When I was writing the book, it was a personal project and a way to remember Ella and all of her antics. Holding the book was the culmination of all the work I put into independently publishing it. I felt relief, pride, and joy at having reached the milestone of printing the book.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope readers, particularly those who are in the midst of a life transition, will be inspired to follow their dreams and pursue their passions. I wholeheartedly believe that each person has a unique gift to share with the world. Ultimately, my wish is that my book helps the reader let go of the expectations and labels that have been holding them back from showing up as their true self so they can live the life only they were meant to live. After surviving a heart attack at thirty-one years old and going on a journey to discover myself and what I had to offer the world, one of my favorite quotes became this one from Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” This quote influenced the mission of my business, which is to help others ignite, thrive, and shine.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The most rewarding part of publishing my book has been sharing Ella’s story with those who played important roles in her life, especially the veterinarians and technicians who provided the care and treatments like acupuncture and physical therapy that improved Ella’s quality of life when she was battling degenerative myelopathy. I’m certain that Ella is smiling down on me for memorializing her through this book. If it touches just one person, the hard work it took to publish the book will have been worth it.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

As part of my health and wellness business, I write regularly for my blog and weekly newsletter and will continue to submit stories to online and print publications on topics such as nutrition, yoga, and mindfulness. Now that I’ve written Ella’s story, I already have some ideas brewing for future books that would capture the spirits of my two current dogs, Mala and Tessie. Pets are such an important part of life, and there’s always more to say about the human-animal bond.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.