My Daily Gems

Urbanology magazine is a staple for Toronto readers and Canadian culture. Priya is one half of what makes the magazine distinguishable amongst others, as well as unique.  I’m more than happy to introduce you SMOOTHIES to a lady that holds her own in the community by giving back and also continues to stay true to how she feels the urban culture should (continue) to be seen.

1) Occupation

I wear many hats. I co-founded Urbanology Magazine, where I hold the role of Editor-in-Chief/Co-Publisher (aka I do whatever needs to be done), as well as I’m a part-time instructor at Humber College teaching in the journalism program, and an independent journalist/editor/researcher for various publications.

2) How do you feel about community outreach?  Are you currently involved to an organization?

Community outreach is huge. I think it is so important in whatever it is that you do to look for people coming up in the field after you to mentor or share your insights, learned lessons and knowledge gained with. In addition, I think being actively engaged in your community, however you define that – geographic, social, cultural, interest-based, etc. - helps us each grow as individuals. It helps open up our minds to new people, new experiences and realities.

In terms of what I do currently community wise – whenever Urbanology is called upon to be involved in community initiatives or events, whatever those may be, we try our best to give in every way we can. In addition, personally, for almost as long as I’ve been doing Urbanology, I’ve been mentoring young people in Scarborough (where I’m from) in areas of magazine production, journalism, media production, etc. in connection with an organization called East Metro Youth Services. From 2008 to February of this year I was working with the organization running the Say Word youth-journalism program that was a result of volunteer work I did with EMYS in 2005/2006. The funding for the program ended in February, but I continue to stay connected to Say Word alumni supporting them in their personal journeys as a “big sister”/mentor and I’m working with some alumni to create another edition of the Say Word magazine – a for youth, by youth publication in Scarborough.

3) What are your thoughts on the word ENERGY?

It’s such an important word! Some people believe money makes the world go around, but I believe it is energy. I have learned, especially over the last few years, the powers of both positive and negative energy. For example, how one person’s negative energy can shift an entire room or change your entire day. I try very hard to be self-aware of my energy and the energy I am giving off.

4) Do you try and eat organic or not so much?

I am a vegetarian, trying to reduce my dairy intake. I don’t eat all organic right now, but any opportunity I have to choose organic I do. Being a vegetarian for more than a decade now, I realized that despite what people think vegetarian doesn’t equate to being healthy. When I stopped eating meat I substituted that for tons of carbs, processed foods and sugars. My diet and health was all over the place, especially throughout college and the first few years I started Urbanology. I would have severe migraines all the time, dizzy spells frequently and passed out on more than one occasion. I ended up in the hospital more than once. No one could ever really tell me what was going on. But through learning on my own, I realized a lot of what was happening was related to what I was eating, and not eating. So long story short, I try to eat organic, but most importantly I try to eat the foods I know keep me feeling the best and healthiest.

5) What makes you happy?

There are many things that make me happy – it’s the little things in life – spending time with my loved ones, working out, eating a great meal, reading a good book, sitting down and doing a great interview for an article I’m working on, receiving positive feedback on something I’ve written or worked on, hearing from a student that they learned even one thing that was meaningful from a class I taught, sharing good conversation with people close to me, seeing a young person I’m close to smile – oh, and a good chocolate chip cookie (guilty pleasure). I learned recently from trying out Deepak Chopra and Oprah’s 21-day meditation that happiness comes from within, and we shouldn’t seek it out or equate it to accomplishing future goals (I.e. I’ll be happy when I buy such and such or when this happens), I couldn’t agree more!

Thanks Priya, glad to know we share so much on happiness and of course Oprah!