#405: SPOTLIGHT: Beck Sullivan
#405: Beck Sullivan
October 29, 2024
A Backbeat of Community
Question for Beck:
The Serenity Prayer offers: “Grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference…”. With this thought, does something come to mind that you couldn’t change but had (or are having) trouble accepting?
Beck's Response:
As many of you know, I work in the anti-human trafficking field, and the serenity prayer has always been a guiding mantra for me. This work often involves challenges and situations beyond our control and the only way we can stay in this field long term is to learn to let go of what we can’t change. However, there are moments when that’s really tough. One story that stands out is a young woman I worked with who had been sex trafficked by her partner. She was incredibly strong and brave for leaving him the first time, and we were working on getting her and her son into their own apartment. However despite the abuse, she still loved him and he had a way of pulling her back in.
I’ll never forget the call when she told me she was going back. I tried to help her see the reality of her situation, but ultimately, I couldn’t control her choice. It was hard for me to accept that there was nothing I could do to change this situation. In the days that followed, I kept thinking there was something else I could have done or said to prevent her from going back. In fact, I don't think I ever really did accept it. But thankfully this story has a happy ending. Months later, she decided to leave for good, which reminded me of the power of resilience and hope. That is something I can accept.
I suspect Beck would love all direct responses from you. I find it incredibly encouraging when I hear from any of you after I share my thoughts. It is powerful for me. I assume many others have a similar experience. So here is Beck's email… pip
Amanda's thought…
First off Beck, thank you for being willing to open up and re-live such an emotional experience. I imagine it wasn't easy to do. I was really moved by this especially because the strength and resilience is twofold - both yours in your work and the young woman's in her troublesome situation. Reading this had me thinking how personal growth and change is not often a straight trajectory, and that there are various stages of the complexity that is acceptance and healing. Thank you for sharing this Beck. I'm so lucky to know you and your heart. And I love this beautiful photo in Berlin.
- AP
