We were lucky to catch up with Bekah Morris recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bekah, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Growing up, one of the mottoes circulating my family’s house was “do hard things.” For a while it seemed those words always applied to someone else’s struggle or challenge until one day in the doctor’s office they spoke hope to me. My pre-teen self had no idea what scoliosis was or what it’d mean for the next few years of growth for me, but as the diagnosis of getting a back brace settled in so also did the tears. It felt as though my body had betrayed me and that any confidence an awkward-almost-teenager could have completely dissipated. None of my friends had this. I was alone. How could I hide this new plastic shell beneath my tie dye shirts and carry on like all was well? And so, it was on that journey through orthopedic office visits and chiropractic appointments that the “do hard things” mantra gave me strength to keep going. I learned how to embrace what made me different and to let other people into the struggle. I remember talking about my experience in a public speaking class and referring to my back brace as my exoskeleton. I lifted my shirt and gave it a knock even as I tried to keep myself from crying. That diagnosis and the following months destroyed my idea of self-esteem as having a perfect body and instead began to build it back up as confidence in who I was beneath my skin, the resilience to get through hard things, and the vulnerability to let other people in.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
While my day job has some pretty great office views, it’s not the thing that gets me out of bed each morning (that thing is coffee). I work as a flight attendant, and the flexibility, variety, and adventure that comes with it definitely influences my other passions. I’m a person just like yourself, searching for purpose in what I do, meaningful connection with people, and hopefully the words to write about it all. Outside of my job, I’m aspiring to write children’s books that entertain and captivate both child and adult readers. I’ve found some of the deepest truths nestled in the illustrations and storylines of children’s books. That genre of literature definitely embodies the idea that less is more. Oftentimes fewer words communicate more truth, more imagination, more life, and with more power. My goal is to start small by writing for the people I care about, telling their stories, and showing them just how much of an impact they have on others. Who knows where it will go from there?
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’ve already spoken on one of the skills I’ve found of great importance: doing hard things. If I’d let fear of failure or others’ opinions keep me from doing hard things, I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. There is a strength that is developed through overcoming obstacles and learning perseverance. Second and similar to it is do new things. I was a picky eater, now I love trying new foods. I was a shy child, now I stand in front of strangers demonstrating how to wear a life vest. I was a “don’t talk to the boy you like” girl, now I’m married to the man of my dreams. I get that it’s not that easy, nor is it so cut and dry, but the point is, trying new things open you up to opportunities, knowledge, and understanding. Lastly, learn to listen. Listening is a skill that is greatly needed in this day and age and unfortunately greatly lacking. There’s all kinds of books, podcasts, and other resources out there to help you grow in and understand what it is to listen well.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is my favorite book. Below are some notable quotes from it:
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”
“To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world….”
I’ll let the little nuggets speak for themselves. In fact, if you haven’t read The Little Prince before, go do so now. It’s only about 88 pages. Let it change your perspective and remind you of forgotten truths.
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