We recently had the chance to connect with Barbara Lee and have shared our conversation below.
Barbara , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
These days my joy comes from my 6 year old grandson. His father (my son) died a little over a year ago and left quite a hole in our lives. I get to spend every Saturday with Silas and it is pure joy! He is such a smart young man, compassionate and energetic. He hunts for Big Foot, makes exploration YouTube videos, and sings and dances to his favorite music. He is usually too engrossed in whatever is going on to want to take time to eat, let alone rest. Swimming is a special love so we have been at the beach a lot this summer and will be moving into the Aquatic Center soon. I can’t be with him and not smile and beam at the wonder that he is.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! I am Barbara Lee and I was born and raised in West Michigan. Ten years ago I founded the Momentum Center and today I serve as Experi-Mentor there. I have been drawn to work with marginalized communities for almost all of my adult life and here we are creating a community where every person is fully visible and connected. I am also an author, a public speaker, and a lover of chocolate and dry red wine!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Somehow the message I learned as a child was that I was responsible for everyone else’s happiness and well being – even at the expense of my own. With that task came the underlying message that I was not worthy of the care that I offered others. But I longed for it. So I found myself trying to love people enough that they would love me back. Care for them enough that they would care about my well being. Today I am take responsibility for my own health and well being. My needs are important and it is my job to prioritize them.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I have made incredible progress in my work life, buy my personal life has been restrained by an existential fear of being alone. That fear kept me anchored in places where I was not able to grow to my fullest potential or live my best life. Cognitively, of course, I knew that in the end we are all alone. But emotionally that fear drove me to sacrificing large parts of myself so that others would allow me to stay in the part of their life they designated for me. But having survived incredible loss has also shown me that I have the strength, the wit, and the charm to keep myself loved and cared for as I walk into the next adventure.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I am who I portray myself to be. I live with honesty and integrity. I am passionate about loving broken people and healing broken relationships. My challenge is to not sacrifice myself in the act of loving others.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. I’ve never been able to give a half-hearted attempt. Whatever I do, I do with a full heart and an unstoppable spirit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.momentumcentergh.org
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaralee13/
