Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Morton.
Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Lauren. I am the eldest daughter of Debra Ann Hardy. I am the Co-Creator and Executive Director of Bee At Peace, Inc. for Spiritual Directors. A woman of faith. A woman of genuine love. A woman of grace. A woman who believed in creating home in whatever space she occupied. A woman who taught her daughters to be women that were comfortable in their own skin because it allowed us to stay connected with God and our higher self. On September 7th, 2018, she took her last breath on this Earth. We began prayerfully thinking about our mother’s legacy and how her legacy could live on for other women, particularly women of color. What was important to our mother was building a support system of women to support one another during life’s happiest and difficult moments to encounter God. Quite honestly, it was one of the things she longed for in her life’s journey.
Why the name – Bee At Peace? Debra is Hebrew for ‘bee.’ Ann is Latin for ‘grace’ and ‘favoured.’ The name of the organization is one of the ways we carry the intention forward. The bee symbolizes community, brightness, and personal power. The logo designed by artist Ash Walsh is meant to visually represent the strength and the deeper spiritual meaning of the bee. The heavenly creation that produces honey that heals body, mind, and soul.
Vision Statement: Encounter God through peace, stillness, and connection for women of color.
Mission Statement: To build community through journey and connection, women of color rooted in their faith and femininity to impact generations.
As an organization, we have Four (4) Focus Areas: Just Bee Quiet – a progressive and varying series of silent retreats, Funding for Spiritual Direction and attending retreats, Development of Educational Grants and Scholarships for Spiritual Directors of Color, Practicum Sites for Spiritual Directors.
The formative experience of Bee at Peace is rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Ignatian Spirituality is a spirituality for everyday life. It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives inviting us to see God in all things, and to set the world on fire. The invitation to come alive. Bee at Peace meets everyone where they are AND accompanies them with the tools to set the world on fire.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes and no. Part of the “no” is understanding your personal journey to arrive at this moment. There are two things that I have come to learn: 1. This ain’t about me. 2. Expanding on Jill Scott’s lyrics in her song “Cross My Mind” – “You know what, they say everything ain’t for everybody”. I add to that, but there is something for everyone. Days of silence are not for everyone. The journey for us is ensuring that Bee At Peace offers something for everyone on their personal journey.
Part of the “yes” is understanding everyone’s truth in their journey; my role is to meet them where they are. To show up with compassion, peace, and stillness. That is how I can be with them without judgement.
Part of the “yes” is holding close to the words of Toni Morrison from “Song of Solomon” – “If you surrender to the air, you can ride it.” For me, that doesn’t mean that it will always be smooth. How I ride the air in turbulence is just as important when it’s smooth air. This is a daily process for me. I am working at each moment.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think it is important to know how it started. Career 1.0 – Senior Executive in hospital management. I stepped away because I was longing for something more. That something more was:
Career 2.0 – Director of Campus Ministry at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. I was introduced to Ignatian Spirituality. It allowed me: to reflect on my faith journey, walk with young ladies and gentlemen to form their spiritual journey formed and informed by their family and community and, to be the teacher and student. I was able to delve deeper in my journey to see God in all things (i.e people, experiences, etc)
Career 3.0 – Co-Founder and Executive Director of Bee At Peace, Inc AND Program Manager at iwi fresh. Focusing on grassroots and community programming.
I am most proud of my ability to meet people where they are. I have a gift for building community and creating opportunities for their gifts to take the stage. I love and am very gifted at building community. It is a role that I am called to do.
What are your plans for the future?
Personally – 1. Go to South Africa before I turn 45. I planned to do it last year for my 40th. We know what happened. 2. Accomplish a few other things on my personal bucket list. For example, take an Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver.
Bee At Peace – 1. In partnership with three spiritual formation institutions have programs with dedicated training programs and practicums for communities of color. 2. Social and economic structures in place to support women of color to attend retreats and educational programs for spiritual director formation.
Pricing:
- $148.00 for 1-Night Silent Retreats
Contact Info:
- Email: beeatpeace2017@gmail.com
- Website: www.laurenemorton.com
- Instagram: @FastForwardLM and @bee_at_peace
Image Credits
Headshot – EnPhocus Photography – Jason Byrdsell
