We recently connected with Andrea Bell and have shared our conversation below.
Andrea, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
When I was in elementary school, Fridays were known as ice cream days. Students could bring an additional fifty cents to purchase ice cream after lunch. My dad would often send extra ice cream money on these days. He encouraged me to seek out another child who did not have the extra money for ice cream and give it to them. While this may seem small and insignificant, my dad taught me to look, to see others, and to respond generously. Throughout my lifetime, I have witnessed my dad respond generously to people and situations with his time, service, and funds. I am grateful for this foundational example and instruction in my life.
Additionally, the development and practice of generosity in my life is a result of both spiritual and religious disciplines. Raised within a Christian community of faith, I was surrounded by people who I witnessed generously give to those around them, within the church, community, and beyond. I was a recipient of this same generosity and many good gifts; the most cherished gifts were those of time, relationship, encouragement, and support. As I share this reflection, I am seeing in my mind face after face of those people who positively impacted my life and exemplified the fullness of life attained when generously living. Today, I daily practice spiritual disciplines that ground my heart, body, and mind to the present and strive to receive the people and experiences placed before me with an open, loving, and generous spirit. I live with a foundational belief that all people have inherent dignity and worth, created with purpose, and designed to flourish through deep connections with others. I carry this quote with me as I embark on each new day, “out of abundance, share generously, give and receive graciously.”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve practiced in the profession of social work for over 15 years, primarily with children and families. My husband and I have also served as foster parents in our local community, and we are raising three biological children ages 11, 10, and 8. From parenting to practice, I am passionate about the healthy, holistic development of children and believe in the power of prevention through healthy communities, relationships, and families.
Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in social work at the University of Alabama and teaching in an adjunct role at Middle Tennessee State University. Teaching and training future social workers has become a newfound area of passion along with the study and practice of social work research. In the future, I am excited to embark on original research related to Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), building on the brilliant work of others who have established their impact on lifespan health and wellness.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Reflection-Through reflection, we can apply prior learning to produce future growth. The ability to reflect on your prior life experiences and consider what has been learned through both success and failure, can provide motivation and provide direction. Reflection takes time, energy, and stillness. In a world with constant information and interruptions via technology (email, social media, etc.), making the space to productively reflect can become a challenge. Yet, I find reflection to be imperative to my focus, growth, and attainment of goals.
2. Mentorship and openness to feedback-The relationships we establish with others who are where we would one day like to be can have a tremendous impact on our life trajectory. Mentorship, guidance, and willingness to accept feedback have been paramount to the success I have attained in life. Establish healthy relationships with kind, generous mentors and be open to their guidance and feedback.
3. Lifelong learning-When we commit to lifelong learning, curiosity and acquisition of knowledge become instinctual and enjoyable. We accept the dynamic process of change and growth that continues over a lifetime. Stay open and committed to this process, rejecting sedentary states of pride, arrogance, and arrival.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
In the second year of a PhD program, I have had many recent and frequent opportunities to practice strategies to combat feelings of overwhelm. Often, it would feel impossible to balance the roles and expectations of being a mother, wife, friend, daughter, teacher, involved community member, and a commuting, full-time PhD student. My first strategy would be around checking and challenging my own internal self-talk. Am I speaking to myself as I would a friend, with compassion and encouragement? Next, I would connect to others who understand the situation on some level and who know and care about me. Thankfully, I have experienced the PhD journey with an incredible cohort of international students that feel more like family than colleagues. They certainly understand the demands of the coursework and associated responsibilities, and I would often turn to this group for support and encouragement. My family and friends have also served as a tremendous support and were willing to take on any delegated tasks to ease the burden and overwhelm experienced. Building and appreciating a solid community of support where people are reciprocally giving and receiving is essential to managing and overcoming feelings of overwhelm. Finally, I would give my best and do my best which may vary greatly from the best of someone else. Comparison can quickly steal our joy and contribute to feelings of overwhelm. In an academic community, comparison is common. I strive to protect my mind and produce peace by focusing on what I can control, my work and effort, my priorities and goals, how I contribute to and show up in relationships, and the application of the foundational beliefs and values I carry with me each day. I often mentally return to these as a touchpoint and reminder of my life purpose.
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