Today we’d like to introduce you to Renika Battles.
Renika, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins right here in San Diego, though I am of Nigerian descent. The vivid memory of sharing with all who wanted to know that I wanted to be a Social Worker when I grew up often pops into my head. Just like San Diego, I am privileged to continue to gain familial and friendship ties to so many ethnicities and cultures. I am a graduate of San Diego State University and hold a degree in Social Work. Social Workers are change agents. Realizing that we all have the same ability to effect change and positively, the concept of Reigning In Light came about. Synonymous with San Diego’s beautiful attributes, Reigning In Light is naturally eclectic, considerate, unbiased and neutral to all.
Reigning In Light is a mission of peace and based on an idea of shedding light on the human experience. While its introduction to the world only came about this year, the concept grew over a long period of time and thanks to a few good humans who believed in it.
After mulling over the project of Reigning In Light for quite a while, the decision to take a leap of faith was made. The long-awaited opportunity to say something meaningful to the world had come. So, Reigning In Light started as a mini podcast with energy and perhaps a frequency of mine and others.The podcast is built upon meditation, which brings peace. Meditation is about being present and in the moment. As time passed, the thought of someone not being able to meditate because their shoulders are weighted down by troubles of the past or everyday stressors became apparent. Questions like, how is it possible to meditate and reach a feeling of calm when nothing feels light because there’s so much of the past weighing on the heart and mind. So, the weekly topics came about. Believing in reciprocity and the rule of treating others well, time was heavily considered, and in effort to not take away so much of this precious commodity from others, 10- 20 minutes became a thing.
Reigning in Light is now complete wellness support and beyond the mini podcast. It is all about the journey of humanhood.
Over most of my adult life, I’ve had the benefit to assist beings from various backgrounds and ages, and during this time I’ve heard many stories about both strength and strife. I’ve come to realize that the one thing that is missing greatly within Social Work and possibly other fields is actual talk of spirit, yours, mine, and beyond. With talk of the spirit there is lasting empowerment given to all. With spirit, there is hope, grace, and acceptance. If we are seeking to truly grow and heal, why not start with what we already have inside. The light inside could be faint, dim, or even flickering; if you’re here, it is certainly there. I knew that there was something more that could be done to generate inner peace and one that moves to outer peace for the entire world. Reigning In Light is not interested in politics, religion, culture, creed, or sex. It is only interested in developing an everlasting growth mindset, to live fully and well and to actualize our purposes. Being an individual with a head in the clouds, globally and universally is the only way I know how to think and process. If I’m eating and we’re talking about food for the mind, body, and spirit, then everyone else could be as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest obstacle with Reigning In Light continues to be me because I’m a very private person. I am learning to stand in front of myself and release my hands as each episode is released. The thought that I’m standing on a ledge in front of the whole world and baring a piece of me is challenging to say the least. With each breath in and each breath out, I think, wow I’ve just opened myself up to the doors and windows of others, and these can be closed or opened at any time. No matter which occurs, I remind myself each day that life is about giving and sometimes more than we take. So, I plan to continue to do just that, selflessly and endlessly.
As with all things, the obstacles and challenges described here will pass, and maybe there will be others. For this, I’ll continue to stay rooted and focused on the reason why Reigning In Light started.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a change agent, a peace builder, and a tour guide on our journey of humanhood. With Reigning In Light, everyone who comes in peace has a seat at the table.
Reigning In Light is not just a mini podcast; it is a lifestyle and total wellness support for the mind, body, and spirit. It is centered on, around, and within peace. I offer individual or group support in both public and private settings. Reigning In Light may help to restore balance as it begins with meditation and breath work and then falls into conversation.
No matter what we’re busy doing, be it playing a game, practicing a hobby, working hard on our education, or at our employment or careers, let’s pursue and create peace so there is enough to go around for countless lifetimes.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I have a few favorite childhood memories and as I grow older, they seem to blend and almost like a mixtape. The thought of certain songs provide beautiful images, like riding my Strawberry Shortcake bike for the 1st time and chasing after the ice cream truck with my sister and friends, begging my mom to let me have my ears pierced and then screaming why did she let me after feeling the pain; picking un-ripened strawberries from a friends garden and eating them; the aroma throughout the house as my mom cooked for me and my siblings and being so excited each time my mother gave birth; my mother combing my hair before school and with some oldies but goodies playing; laying eyes on that 1st heartthrob and watching him tilt his head and run off; sitting in a classroom next to my favorite teacher, who believed in me; reaching puberty and naming my unborn and far away child and daydreaming endlessly of what almost appears to be the life that I am now living and with those special beings. There are quite a few other memories that go in the mix but again, in consideration of everyone’s time, we’ll stop here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reigninginlight.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/reigninginlight
- Twitter: twitter.com/ReigningInLight
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@ReigningInLight
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/reigninginlight
- Spotify/IHEART/Pandora, all major podcast platforms, etc…
- Other: tiktok.com/@reigninginlight
