Brianna Barrett on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brianna Barrett. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Brianna, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
My calling is writing and ministering to those with chronic illnesses. When I was in high school, one English teacher told me I’d never be a writer. For decades, I never wrote anything other than in a journal. After her comment, I always second-guessed letters, emails or any correspondence that I wrote. I don’t know if she knew how much that paralyzed my dream of writing.

This past year, I published my first book. With that being said, sometimes the naysayers are merely obstacles to our calling, and we just have to be willing to step out in faith. Whatever has been laid on your heart to do; may you find the strength and encouragement to make one step towards that dream today.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a wife and a mom to a 17-year-old son. You’ll find us hanging out with family more often than not. We have an interesting nightly dinner routine with four generations gathering around our table.

I’m passionate about helping people, especially those with chronic illness. As a fellow chronic illness warrior, I know the daily battles of the loneliness, the fatigue and the frustrations of doctors, prescriptions and insurance obstacles. When you are dealing daily with one health battle after another, it makes life seem bleak. It makes things that much harder. You just desire to be normal. I went through times when I just wanted a friend to talk to, somebody who would understand what I was facing, which sparked the idea for my book. I wrote a 40-day devotional sharing the hope I found through my own chronic illness journey.

I’m currently working on a new project that will be an interactive workbook to help those with their chronic illness journey. I just want people to know that they aren’t alone in their journey.

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 part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
In the fall my son will be going to college. I find myself in a new normal of letting go, while trying to hold on to little things as best I can. I know it’s the parental cycle and we raise and they move on but it’s been hard. For a good portion of the years, it’s been the two of us doing things together and I know I’ll miss our chats and breakfast together each morning. But I’m excited for him at the same time. I’m just learning to explore new hobbies and things that interest me again.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I would say this is still in progress. I stopped hiding behind my invisible disease when I wrote my book. I wasn’t big on sharing with others for many years because I didn’t want people to think I was complaining. I’ve slowly found my raw vulnerability has helped others walk through their own healing and been able to find hope through my book. It’s an incredible feeling for someone to share with you how special your book has been because they needed a friend to be vulnerable with.

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 would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say they know I’m passionate about caring for my family from my son to my grandparents. They’d also tell you that I need to slow down and learn to say no sometimes. (laughter) I love spending time with my parents and grandparents each day. The time I have with everyone is so precious, and the memories we’ve been able to make have been incredible. I cherish each minute I have with my family.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that I leave a legacy of love and hope. I hope that each day my interactions with them help them to feel the love of Christ. I am passionate about helping the people in my community and our local schools,‌ often people just need a hand up to make it through a rough patch. Or a child just needs someone to listen to them, encouraging them and telling them that I’m proud of them. Others will remember me for feeding them. When you are near I hope you have a full belly and a full heart because you feel loved.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://briannagrams.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannagrams1
• Facebook: https://www,facebook.com/briannagrams1