Embrace Culture - Maria Morgan - Social Worker - Youth Worker - Child Counsellor - Mentor - Coach - Parenting Trainer - Season 5 - #219

Dive into a transformative episode of the Us People Show with host Savia Rocks as she delves deep into the life and insights of Maria Morgan, a multifaceted social worker, mentor, author, and community advocate.

This episode explores Maria's journey from overcoming personal and educational challenges to embracing her purpose and becoming a beacon of change and inspiration. It covers her dedication to social work, the power of knowing your 'why,' and the significance of embracing your identity and past to shape a more inclusive and understanding future, exemplified through Maria's book, 'Embrace Your Why and the Value of It'.

Join us as Maria shares profound lessons on resilience, self-acceptance, and the impact of legacy through vulnerability, openness, and genuine connection.

00:00 Introduction to Maria Morgan
02:10 Maria Morgan's Inspirational Journey
02:35 Embracing Identity and Past Influences
05:37 The Transformative Power of Knowing Your 'Why'
13:08 Maria Morgan's Impact and Legacy
27:26 Empowerment and Establishing Boundaries
29:26 Challenging Comfort Zones for Growth
48:26 Maria Morgan's Vision and Aspirations
49:50 Encouraging Words for Future Changemakers

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-morgan-472557b9/?originalSubdomain=uk
Website: https://kineara.co.uk/podcast-kineara-director-maria-morgan-speaks-about-her-work-and-vision-for-the-future/

“Embracing different cultures is not only a celebration of diversity, but also a recognition of the vast reservoir of knowledge, understanding, and beauty that enriches our world when we open our hearts and minds to the universe of humanity.. ” - Savia Rocks

Transcript

Savia Rocks: 0:00

Hey guys, we made it to season five of the Ask People podcast. I'm your host Savvyrocks. And in this season, we aim to empower and embrace creativity through diversity as we dive into the fascinating stories and experiences of a diverse range of individuals. Highlighting their unique perspectives and creative endeavors from artists and entrepreneurs to innovators and activists. We celebrate the power of diversity in driving creativity and fostering positive change. Join us as we engage in thought provoking conversations like.

Tony: 0:37

I made myself intentionally homeless. In pursuit of my purpose,

J Harris: 0:41

we're aware that a lot of people want to present and they were in my position. And what's worse, they weren't a white male, which is a joke. That's even still a thing. I

Mel: 0:49

think my family never, ever say you can't do something. So full of support, full of support for whatever dream. If I said tomorrow when I fly to the moon, they'll probably say, I wish you all the best Mel.

Savia Rocks: 1:00

I just want to say thank you for supporting the ask people podcast for the past five years. And we look forward to sharing another new theme song with you. Let's go.

Tony: 1:33

Hey

Savia Rocks: 1:33

guys, and welcome to another episode of the ask people show in 2024. Welcome guys. I'm your host Savvy Rocks. And today I am abundantly humbled to have Maria Morgan here with me. She is a social worker, youth worker, child. Counselor, mentor, coach, parenting trainer, and the author of embrace your why and the value of it. Maria has worked within the care community sector and in the housing support for over 25 years. Maria, thank you so much for taking your time to come on the Ask People show. How are you?

Maria: 2:10

I'm fine, I'm well, thank you. Thank you for having me.

Savia Rocks: 2:14

I'm so excited to have you. So, Maria told me that she was actually there when I said my poem, so it's, it's so nice to have you here. So, thank you so much, Maria. My first question for you is, could you tell me a bit about yourself? Where you grew up, but also how that influenced you? To be the person who you are today?

Maria: 2:35

Yeah, such a great question. Um, so yeah, I'm Maria Morgan. Yeah, all together six siblings. Yeah, I grew up in South East London, in Deptford. I grew up in Deptford. I was born in Sovac. Um, and, uh, and, uh, You know, I have a daughter, my mom and dad from Jamaica. And, uh, yeah, I think everything that I do, um, has influenced, has been inspired by, uh, Where I grew up, my experiences and, um, and, um, my experience in growing up in South East London and going through education and the challenges and the ups and downs and the great stuff that happened. All has, all has kind of brought me to where I am today. Really my parents, um, my beliefs, it's all, all, um, part of the foundation of who I am.

Savia Rocks: 3:36

See, this is what I love. How was it, what was it like growing up in a, in a cultural Jamaican family? Was it, did they support, support you in your dreams and your aspirations for you to be able to do what you love doing today?

Maria: 3:52

Yes. Um, you know, growing up, I, I, I never felt restricted, um, by my parents. They, um, always was encouraging to us. And obviously growing up in Jamaica themself and coming to England and navigating the education system was tricky, you know, and maybe not fully understanding, you know, um, the nuances of it. But I always remember my, my dad saying, get an education and my mom, you know, always kind of encouraging us, um, to do that. And for me, school was not easy. I did not. Find it easy. I found it challenging, um, went through quite a lot at school in terms of, um, bullying, experienced that quite intense, intensively. And, you know, not quite understanding my place in education and, um, also understanding my, my abilities. And it wasn't as academic as some of my other peers. Um, But I, from that and, and going on into college and university, I begin to teach myself and understand the way my brain thinks. You know, um, process things and begin to understand my strengths and where I had a challenge. Where do I work on that? So I think going into college and, um, university, I found myself and found my own voice and, and started to appreciate the way I thought.

Savia Rocks: 5:31

See, that's a beautiful way to. to transition, which actually leads me to my next question. So could you define who you are as a person, but also who do you see when you look in the mirror? But on the flip side of that question, Maria, has there ever been a time in your life where you have looked in the mirror and not recognized the person staring back at you? How did you manage to To go from a place where you didn't necessarily feel like you could be yourself and be the person that you wanted to be to evolve in to start on your journey, where you felt this is who I need to be. And this is where I want to be and who I am.

Maria: 6:09

Yeah. Wow. What a question. Um, that's such a deep question. And it's got so many layers to it. Um, I could be here all year.

Savia Rocks: 6:20

I don't mind. It's fine.

Maria: 6:21

Um, but for me, um, fundamentals of who I am, I believe that I was made to live in the image of God. Yeah. Yeah. I believe that we are image bearers of him, native. multifaceted in the way we think and see things. That's the, that's the foundation of what I, who I believe I am. And then from that, I, I see myself as, um, somebody that is made with a purpose and like we all are, made with a purpose and how I live and carry out my life is to be able to fulfill that purpose. That my life is about not just myself, but who I'm connected to. And to be able to live in that space, and try and make a difference and learn from the environment. that I'm in as well. Um, I am a sister, I'm a friend, I'm a mother, um, I'm a daughter, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a learner, I'm a leader, um, I'm a woman, I'm a black woman, you know, um, they're the things I am, but the core of my identity is my faith. I like that. Um, your other question is about how have I, um, I can't remember the other part of your question, because it's so deep, so.

Savia Rocks: 8:02

No, no, no. How do you see your reflection in the mirror and has there ever been a time where you have looked and not recognised who you were?

Maria: 8:10

Well, growing up, when you've been through a lot of, um, trauma in terms of extreme bullying, and you begin to kind of question, how my parents says I am or what my faith says I am. And then when I go to school, there's a different opinion about who I am. And growing up, I was trying to see how do these both connect? So at home, um, um, at church where you're born, beautiful, you're wonderfully made that we love you. You're this, you're this. But at school, you've been told something else. You've been told that you're, you're not nice. You're ugly, you're, you're dumb, you're stupid. You're all of these things. And that you're trying to kind of make a connection of the two of you. So what am I then? And, you know, when you were younger and at school and your, your friend seems to have a higher monopoly on, on, on how you feel about himself, your mom, oh, she just saying it cause they have to, because he's my mom and my dad's because, cause they have to, they're my dad, he's my dad, he has to love me. But when somebody, doesn't need to love you because they don't have that title and choose to hurt you, you start to think, actually, is it what, what they're saying, is that right about me? And so I went through that, um, kind of challenge in my own mind and in my own self and trying to understand where I fit in and what was really reality. And I went through such a lot in trying to work that out within myself. And it's only when I began to connect with the core of what I believed in, that I am made with a purpose. I am made in the image of God. I am beautifully and wonderfully made. I am who I am. There is only one of Maria Morgan, just like there's only one person with my fingerprint. I am uniquely made and I'm not an accident or a mistake. When I began to accept myself and see myself and accept me for me and start to see that people are going to always have the opinion, but what do I say about myself and how do I accept myself? When I began to accept myself, I would say, I ran about the age of, You know, I would say 15, but really 18. I kind of like began to love myself and say, this is, this is me. And that was a journey.

Savia Rocks: 10:44

See, but this is what I love when you, when you ask people that particular question, it gets really down to the core. of who they are and what they've been through because people go through so much every single day. One, one saying that I always have is how I treat you is a reflection of myself. How you treat me is a reflection of myself. If I carry that, then you're showing people who you are authentically in your good days and your bad days and your rough days. It doesn't matter. You're showing people. So I'm so glad that you shared that in that way. So one of the things I do want to ask you is. What has been your inspiration? in your life? Who are the people, who are the people who have inspired you in your life?

Maria: 11:32

Yeah, apart from my faith, um, it's my mother. Yeah. Um, she really inspired, my mom passed away many years ago now, but she really inspired me, um, the way she held on to her faith, the way she held on to what she believed in, even in the hardest of times. Her conviction, her, her care for people and communities, her, her love for her children, her ability to love and still, um, accept us as, as individuals. Um, I love that, uh, that she's really, she really, made a difference to my life. Um, um, my father, you know, came over this country and it was not easy, but he continued to keep going. My brothers and sisters, they are my lighthouses. They are my support. Um, I, I've got so many, my friends, um, you know, the people that I hold dear to me, they just, they just. continue to encourage me and are my cheerleaders. So they're the people close to me that actually they inspire my daughter. Just they inspire me all the time to be a better person. Um, and I can be vulnerable and say, actually, This is what's going on. And there's only a few people, but they mean so much to me.

Savia Rocks: 13:05

They will know. They'll definitely know.

Maria: 13:07

They'll know.

Savia Rocks: 13:08

Yeah. You have so many titles. No, I don't. No, no, it's good. Listen, God gave you talents. Right. So there's social work, there's parenting trainer, there's coaching, there's mentoring, all of these things, not just for yourself, Maria, but help generations down the line. And it's kind of like leaving a legacy of who you are because you're helping to educate other generations so they can pass that education on to other people. But when it comes to social work, I just want to touch on social work. Yes. Well, social work often involves addressing system, um, systematic issues and advocating for social change, which I think is very true. Can you discuss if you're allowed to discuss any specific incident where you were, where you encountered resistance or push were pushed back in your efforts to create change and how did you persevere through it?

Maria: 14:10

Yeah, that's fantastic. Um, I take off my hat to social work. I, as you said, I'm, I'm a trained social work. I worked in fostering adoption. I worked in children, looked after children in need. I used to try to find families for children who they were no longer their birth parents. And, um, I also am no longer directly in social work, but one of, one of the areas that I, um, found challenging, it was kind of difficult, is the, the, the red tape, the paperwork, the, the kind of deadlines, the, that you need to do. And it's important because you're a statutory social worker, you're, you have a legal obligation to do certain things. things. But what was, why I came into social work was not naive. I wasn't naive in terms of the work that we had to do in terms of paperwork, bureaucracy, of all of that. But I really wanted to connect with people. I really wanted to get to the heart and the root of why a child or why an individual ended up in society. in the care system. And so, um, my managers were great and gracious, but they used to say, Maria, you know, have you done that paperwork? And I'm like, yes, I, I just, I went to that family home because I really wanted to understand what was going on. And, and, and I used to get really good results because I used to spend time in the family getting to know what was going on. Exactly, yeah. Obviously there is a need for paperwork. So obviously I did my paperwork and that was some of the challenge I've got in terms of what was more important. Is it getting all the paperwork done, which is, but is it about really touching and getting to the root of what's going on for for that child in foster care who wants to run away? You know, how can we help their experience in foster care, the best it could be for them, um, while we, while we try to work out what's going on with their birth parents? And how can I, how can the foster care feel empowered to make a difference with that child? And sometimes it's just needed for you to sit down and talk and understand. what is going on. So the placement didn't break down for example. So it's that push and pull for what the heart of social working is truly about and why people go into it versus the mundane things that you need to do to also keep yourself and the children that you serve safe.

Savia Rocks: 16:50

The one thing I do want to ask Maria is the emotional side, especially for you from your perspective. How do you take your emotional because being a social worker, even a mentor or anything to do with engaging with people can be very, very emotionally draining. Also, it can have its rewards as well. But how do you separate your emotions? especially when you're in a really emotional situation where you know what you want to do within the situation in order for it to get solved or for in order to make those children's lives better. How do you take yourself out of the equation emotionally but still be consistent? in your work and how you do it.

Maria: 17:34

Yeah. Um, one of the things that, um, I think is important and people might have a different, um, view on this. I think when you go to work, you bring your personal and professional. I don't think you leave one at home. I think you bring them together. You bring your person to that environment. But I think the key thing is knowing that also knowing when being aware, self aware, um, that when your personal is being impacted or where you begin to, to, it starts to impact, um, your work is beginning to impact how you're feeling personally is being aware of that and having the space. That's why supervision is important, having the space to talk about how this is impacting you. So it's very much being self aware, that you're aware of yourself, you're aware both of coming to work and, and also you're self aware of actually when you have to take yourself out and remove yourself from that position. that situation or get some support. So that's one thing. I think the other thing is really you begin to develop a resilience in yourself, um, to know, actually, um, for me, Work is not just work and I, and that's it. It's, it's a part of, I think my calling is the part of the thing that, um, I would do if I wasn't getting paid. So it's kind of really, um, really knowing that actually, Accepting that when you go into work, you are doing your total best. Yes, you are giving your best self. You're bringing your best self. So when I put down my computer and, and, and look and log off for that, for that evening, I know that I've done my best and I've done all that I could do to make sure that that situation or the people that I have responsible for. responsible for is okay. And they know what to do for themselves if something happens, if I'm not available. So it's also really knowing that actually I've, I've done my best and that's okay. There's nothing more that I could have done. So I accept that as well. I think thirdly is having spaces in your life where you are able to that you are taking care of yourself, that you're being kind to yourself, you know, that you find things. I, there's one thing that I kind of introduced to, to, to media or some of my people that's close to me. Um, I began to write, do write down the things that made my heart smile in that week. I do at least two or three things in that list. that makes my heart smile, whether it's playing the guitar, um, singing, doing art, going out with friends. I'm doing something that's making my heart smile. I'm taking care of myself. So I think there's many things, but they're the three, three key things, acknowledging that you are coming in with personal and professional and you're self aware. You have a place where you can talk. Um, you take care of yourself and be kind.

Savia Rocks: 21:02

I totally love that. You started your own company CIC. Let's talk about your company. This is something that I love to speak about when people decide that, yep, this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to do my own company and it's going to be for a specific reason. Let's talk about why you started a company and what you wanted to achieve.

Maria: 21:22

Well, I've always had a passion for community. I've always had a desire to, um, To support somebody through challenging times. I've always had that in me, as well as love music and the arts. We're going to get to music. But, but I always had a desire to do that. And I've always had a desire to create projects and programs for the community. So, um, so that was something that I've always wanted to do. Um, I worked in this organization and I had one, a great manager called Nikki Bradley. Um, and, um, you know, I was got the, had the opportunity to write a program and this was called the Rent Support Program, um, resolving rent arrears within 10 weeks. Um, uh, and so somebody can sustain their rent. And, and I, I was able to write a project like that. And from there, um, I, I, I said to her, look, I think we've got something here. I think, I think we could build a business from this. And long story short, we went, I went on to a dragon's den kind of experience and we got, we got, Kind of some seed money to start Kinera, um, which was now 12 years ago and, uh, became, uh, an independent, um, an organization.

Savia Rocks: 22:53

See, when you put your mind to something, it will work.

Maria: 22:57

Oh yeah. Yeah, definitely. If you, if, if you've got a passion for it and you know why you're doing it, definitely.

Savia Rocks: 23:04

Let's talk about your book because now you've gone from, you know, social work, having an organization and now. Your book as well. So you've done so many phenomenal things within your life. There's a lot more coming.

Maria: 23:20

There's a lot more

Savia Rocks: 23:21

coming. So let's, let's talk about your book. What impacted you to decide I'm going to write a book called embrace your why and the value of it. What was your, your inspiration? Cause this is something I love about writers as well. The. the emotional aspect of getting something from your mind and onto the paper because some people actually find it quite hard to transition their words of how they feel onto the paper. So what was your, your epiphany or what was your, your guide or spiritual feeling towards writing this book?

Maria: 23:54

Well, just to be able to write a book is just a testament of just, um, faith and Because I, as I said, academically I really struggled. It was not easy for me. I really found school challenging and, um, where I began, as I said, to learn about how do I overcome that was when I went to university and started to write assignments, to be honest. And I always knew I had Something that I wanted to say and communicate and, um, and the word why is always intrigued me. I mean, why is such a foundational core question that occurs every single moment of our life. Even the mundane things we do in life has a reason. For a reason. Yeah. You know, we left and right before we crossed the road for a reason. Yeah. We breathe in and out for a reason. There is a why always associated in everything we do, and I wanted to really talk about why in a dimensional way, in a brief little book that's introducing this concept that could be written in so many ways and really began to see why. When I started to especially go into leadership. And how core it is to why you do what you do, why you show up the way you show up, why you interact the way you interact, what make, how you look at the world, how you perceive the world, you know, how you receive, how you reject. Everything is coming, there's a why behind that. And if we become curious about the why, we then begin to show up differently. We begin to experience things differently, we begin to talk to people and relate differently and become curious about what underpins that motivation, what is underpinning that response and that reaction. And I think when we, when we see it as an everyday part of our life, and actually it's a critical friend to us, um, it can be, if we begin to appreciate that and not be frightened of that word. Um, and then I thought I have something to say and I thought I could write at least some pages about it.

Savia Rocks: 26:32

You've done brilliantly well. When I had a chance to read it, it was articulately explained. You know, how you felt about things and even help educate me on certain things that I didn't know, especially when you talk about embracing healthy boundaries, which a lot of us find very hard to do sometimes, because what we do is we give our all or we What we also do is we give our kindness in areas. And sometimes I've learned that not everybody will appreciate your kindness. And sometimes it's hard for us to take in that. So we continuously keep giving our kindness, but then realized, you know what, I'm just utilizing too much of my energy. Then we have to come back. But this is a question I actually wanted to ask you. How do you establish healthy boundaries in your life?

Maria: 27:26

It's been a journey. It's been a journey. Like what you're saying, if you're somebody that really is just here, you're, you're giving, you're, you know, you're, um, really open and in that way. And, um, if somebody is, doesn't know how to appreciate it or the way they appreciate it is not actually how you feel appreciated. It can be. be tricky. And actually I, I, um, wrote something about that in the book and then I took it out actually. Um, but I, I think, I think it's, um, really important to know, have space to know yourself, space to know your why, um, have space to know what you need and, and, and your why. Why are you given? So for example, um, You know, running a business, it takes, it takes a lot, you know, it's enjoyable, it's great when you do something that you love, but it requires a lot from you. And not just business, in relationships, everything. But when you understand why you're doing that, it's not then tied to anybody's response to what you're doing. Yeah. You're showing up because there's a why that is connected to your value and who you are. And so you're showing up, it's not impingent to whether somebody shows up for you or whether they appreciate you or whether they do whatever they're doing. You're there beyond that. the external validation or what people may or may want to say or what, how they take it or not. So it's, it's making sure that what you're doing and that your why is really connected to, to the person you are and it feeds you.

Savia Rocks: 29:20

Yes, definitely. Also, one of the things I was going to say to Maria is, is if we could talk about comfort zones, A lot of the time, a lot of us as individuals, we stay in our comfort zone and don't branch out. I was always told, my grandma told me this, she said to me, when God wants to challenge you or change something in your life, he makes you uncomfortable. Talk to me about any challenges that you've ever had in your life where your comfort zone was challenged, but then helped you to become a better person.

Maria: 29:55

Yeah, I think, I think for through my life of, I've always being challenged. Um, and especially when you've gone through challenging times, you know, in, in areas of your life when you've not felt that you was being accepted or, or for who you are, um, you're either going to you're either going to hide away and not show yourself and not be the light that you need to be. And, you know, stay where people think you should be. Or you're going to step out and say, actually, no, this is I need to move forward. And I think one of the ways that I kind of face challenges, I lean into the process of the challenge because, When you lean into it and, and you go with where this challenge is leading you, you know, at the end of it, you're going to come out in a different way. Like, you know, a butterfly goes through that metamorphosis kind of ways and that cocoon stage and to come out of it is a challenge, but at the end of it, it becomes something very beautiful. And, and I think, I think I have, you know, um, had to push myself against my own self, you know, even writing this book, you know, I had those old, um, voices, oh Maria, you can't do this, Maria, you know, like I wrote the beginning of the book, I had a teacher, you're not going to be able to write, you can't write, you're not going to make sense, and I'm like, oh, okay, I recognize you, but I am going to go forward because there's a message and I think it can be of help. to my fellow, you know, humans and myself. So, so I had to push against the grain of myself and, and, and face it.

Savia Rocks: 31:49

I think a lot of us, um, we deal with imposter syndrome every single day. And the way you said, yes, like, you know, it's like, yeah. Imposter syndrome, I think starts from childhood or whoever was our role models in life, or whatever we see in life as well, plays a major part of, of who we are. kind of dictates our path and our choices in a way. And then it's up to us on whether or not we want to change those things that have happened to us in our lives and decide what path we're going to go on. So I, I definitely understand. So, I know you were talking about music earlier on. Yeah. So I'm going to get a little bit into music right now. So if I said to you, Maria, if you could choose one song that was the sound, what song would you choose? And why would you choose that particular song?

Maria: 32:43

That's a hard one, because that's almost like so impossible to even, to even, I've got so many people, I love Fred Hammers, I like Lauren Hill, I like Music Soulchild, I like, you know, there's, there's so many people, um. I don't know, to be honest, I can't. Um, there's, there's one song, there's so many people that I love, but there's one song that I love, um, and it's a psalms, but it was, it was written by Fred Hammond and, um, and it was talking about drawing nigh to God, drawing closer. And that's my, I, I, I chose that because that's my heart's desire, it's just, uh. Just to be, just to, um, learn and understand more. see things the way he sees things, you know. Um, but then I got Lauren Hill with some of her tracks. But yeah, yeah, that, I would say, I'd say that's a heart song.

Savia Rocks: 33:51

What would your Lauren, I just want to know now, what would your Lauren Hill track be?

Maria: 33:54

You know, there's a song, um, where it is about a relationship she went through and you can feel the hurt that she felt. And I was, I was just thinking, you know, some of my, some of my little experiences in that area. I feel like when she sings it, um, what, what was it called, um, without singing it, I can't remember the title, but, but when she sings it, I'm singing it with her because I feel her pain. I feel what she thought, she's, um, you know, trying to express and that's what I love about her voice. Yeah.

Savia Rocks: 34:29

Oh, that makes sense.

Maria: 34:32

She's an amazing singer and writer, Davina Watson. She is. Yeah. One of my best writers. She's amazing. Her and her husband are brilliant. So check her out, Davina Watson. I am

Savia Rocks: 34:43

definitely now, yep. I'm definitely going to check it out. I think teachers are one of the best and most influential people in our lives. If there was one person that you said to yourself, taught you something that you will never forget, what in your life of school or education? Who would it be and why?

Maria: 35:10

I think, you know, I, there was one teacher And it wasn't that she, because I had a, as I said, a really challenging experience with teachers as well. Um, but there was one teacher I had that always used to sit with me and encourage me. And she'd done that through song, because she was a music teacher, Mrs. Moore. And she really, um, really always just sat with me in my tears and just And we'll just go on the piano and sing. And that was brilliant. And another person that really, um, inspired me and influenced me on my journey, as I said, my manager, Nikki Bradley, she saw my, um, potential. And she took time to really mentor me into leadership and understand The nuances of leadership. So she was actually amazing. I had another manager called Sahil, just embrace me, allow me to be me. So I've been really blessed to have such great people who, who, who, who inspired me, people believe in me. There's so many Samarian partners who invest in me and vision, urban impact on health. I could go on. They invest in visions and the people that work in Canara. you know, my colleagues, they, they really inspire me. So I'm so grateful. I have critical friends around me and I don't, I don't take them for granted. I can see that. Call out to Alicia as well, if she's watching.

Savia Rocks: 36:56

I can definitely see that. So if, if I said to you, if no, A lot of the time we get judged all the time based upon how we look how we speak and where we're from but if there was no judgment in the world what would you do differently? Where do you

Maria: 37:16

get these questions from? They're amazing! I'm just trying to put myself in a space where there's no judgment and just feeling that the the weight that comes off you when you begin to imagine a world ciao Judgment and what does that mean for you because you have to face and fight against judgment every day Exactly. Um, so I think the internal Challenge the eternal war in your mind would cease and then that Freedom to be authentically who you were created to be Without that inner war of what you, the judgment you put on yourself first. Because, because you have the judgment from everyone. But I think the hardest and most crit the most, um, um, critical or, or, or judgment is the one that you have on your, in yourself. That's more, that's more stronger.

Savia Rocks: 38:35

I agree with you there. I definitely agree with you there. That's actually a good way of answering it. Yeah,

Maria: 38:40

that was a

Savia Rocks: 38:42

good question. That was a good way. I was actually thinking about it just now, but that's actually a good way of answering it. So if I said to you, if you could choose one quote, That represented you as a person. What is she's thinking now? What would you choose and why would you choose that particular quote?

Maria: 39:07

Um, I love quotes and I and now my mind's got totally blank on a quote. Um, One that, one that comes to me, um, that, um, it's not a quote, but it's, it's a verse that, you know, greater is he than that is in you than he that's in the world. There's greaterness, there's greatness in you. And that greatness in you is God and if you get yourself in that space to know actually what's in me is greater than whatever trials I'm going to face. You're going to face trials, we're all going to face trials, but if you know you've got something bigger in you. then you can face them. I've got so many quotes in my, I've, yeah, if I knew this in advance, I would have given you, that's what makes you so good at what you do, you have to think.

Savia Rocks: 40:12

Don't worry, we can have a round two, you can come back again and then lay it all on the line, you can just lay it all on the line. So my next one for you is Tell me about a time where you have overcome an obstacle, but then has challenged your personality towards yourself and towards other people in your life.

Maria: 40:41

I've had many, um, that I faced, but I think the biggest one that I faced, um, was not loving myself, not liking myself, not accepting myself.'cause I think when you do not feel comfortable in your skin. and you struggle to accept yourself, it makes you see the world in a different way.

Savia Rocks: 41:13

That is true.

Maria: 41:15

You know, you have a warped view or you have a tarnished view of the world because the way you see yourself limits the way you see everything beyond yourself. That's true. When you begin to kind of Embrace yourself and accept yourself and who you are and begin to love yourself. Then you'll be able to connect with people and love people and see the world differently because you're not consumed with yourself. Okay. Yeah. So I think, I think that's helped me. Um, and, and, and know that, yeah, just accept myself and, and also just be the light that I'm meant to be, um, not hiding myself, but actually step into it. And it doesn't mean you're not humble. It's that you've accepted the call of who you are and you're stepping out there because you know, it's not just about you now. Um, yeah. You your, your life is, is, is for others.

Savia Rocks: 42:19

I like that. One of the things that I was told only the other day is about knowing when to be humble and knowing that it's okay, not always to be humble. I actually learned that just the other day because I was so used to, Always given that kindness and humbleness. They, someone said to me, a friend said to me, it's okay not to be humble sometimes, especially when you're living in your purpose,

Maria: 42:44

a

Savia Rocks: 42:46

way that you articulate yourself through your humbleness. And it just, it's life is very emotional. And sometimes the way. That we do articulate ourselves can be very different and difficult, like you said. So my next one for you, Maria, is what is the best advice you have ever received in your life? And how has it helped you throughout the purpose of your life?

Maria: 43:15

One of the things my sister said to me, actually, when I went through a really challenging time, of really accepting the situation that I was in. And she said to me, Maria, the biggest, the biggest thing that you need to do right now is accept where you are, accept where you are, and also know that seasons change. It's not going to stay the same,

Savia Rocks: 43:48

but as

Maria: 43:48

long as you keep on fighting against what the reality is right now, and accepting it and lean into it and learn from that and evolve from it and make something out of it. You're going to never embrace what's in front of you because you're not accepting. And so when she said that to me, it was like, I could breathe. I'm like, okay. I'm not going to fight right now. This is the situation and I'm going to lean into it and walk through it. And true enough, um, the season changed and it was okay. See, I had many words, but that really changed that situation for me.

Savia Rocks: 44:34

If I said to you that you could work within your company, but have one civil rights activist to work with you, who would it be? Jeez. Oh

Maria: 44:53

my gosh. I have many in my mind, but I'm thinking I'm going to say things that most people say anyway. Um, I was going to say Rosa Park, then I was going to say No,

Savia Rocks: 45:11

no one said Rosa, no one said Rosa Park so far. Like, you're doing good.

Maria: 45:15

Barbaloo for King, and yeah, and Mary Seacole, um. But, but I think what I like about Rosa Park is her stance in something that was just so day to day, but also something that should be, you know, Uh, a given that you can just as a human being sit wherever you want to sit and really see and say raising up to say you are asking me to do something that actually should be anyone's right to sit wherever they're pleased and I'm gonna sit here. I'm gonna sit here because actually it's my God given right to place myself wherever I've paid to get on the bus and, and just took that tenacious stance, um, was just, it changed so much, something as simple as that. But I'm so profound and I, and I, and I love that tenacity where it counts. Yeah, but I know the time to pick a battle and that was the right time.

Savia Rocks: 46:26

If I said to you, can you define success? Because we all have our different, different ways of defining success. What would be your definition of defining success in your way?

Maria: 46:40

inner peace, peace.

Savia Rocks: 46:46

That was nice and easy.

Maria: 46:47

That

Savia Rocks: 46:49

was nice and easy. So my next one, which will connect with that one is, when was the last time you felt totally at peace with yourself?

Maria: 47:02

I think when you begin to to kind of connect with the core of who you believe you were created to be and whose you belong to. You begin to let go of life. You begin to let go of things and realize, actually, it's okay to really know that you're not in control of everything. And for me, I believe someone, God, is in control. I believe someone greater than me is in control. And I, I, I'm learning and it's not easy day by day to let go of my grip on life and just hold it loosely and trust someone bigger than me. Um, and that's a day process and that's where I connect to peace. Um, because it does make you feel you don't, you don't need to control everything. But what I've been given. I'm going to do my best to do the best of what I've been given to do or what I think I'm going to do. But I, I be, I'm starting to hold life more loosely and trust that there's a bigger purpose. And as I said, it's not easy. It's a day to day to day, but that's where I find my peace.

Savia Rocks: 48:23

See, that's a beautiful thing. So if I said to you, what is your ultimate goal in life? Would you say, I know you've spoken about your purpose and, and, you know, believing in the higher presence above that helps guide you to where you would like to be and want to be. But what is Maria's in a, cause you know, we always hold something very dear to us inside. Thank you. That we say, this is what I would, where I would like to be in life. This is what I want to do with my life. What would you say it is?

Maria: 48:54

I'm going to quote, you talked about a quote. I was going to quote something that someone said. And Miles Morrell, I don't know. He's a really kind of amazing, he passed away, amazing speaker. But one of the last things he said is, Live. My life until it's empty.

Savia Rocks: 49:11

Yes. I've heard that many times.

Maria: 49:14

Just just give it just give it all Just give it just give it all what once once you you know What you believe you know what you're meant to be doing you're just you're just giving all and to love well And to be loved, you know, people all love well and be loved. So I've only got a few more for you,

Savia Rocks: 49:37

Maria. What would your advice be to anybody going into any of the fields that You, you abundantly working and across so well, what would your advice be, especially with social working or mentoring or just being in that space where vulnerability can also enhance you as a person, but also understanding the boundaries and the limitations of the work that you do, or what would your advice be to anybody working hard to go into those fields to make a change and impact in those.

Maria: 50:14

I think the first thing I would say, and this is, this is, um, really what I would have said if I'd written a book or not, is know your why. Know why you're going to where to do what you're doing, because the area that I'm in, it's not easy. You hear so much challenge. There's so much difficulties. There's oppression. There's, there's so much happening. There's inner oppression. There's, External oppression that people face and you've been invited to come on the journey with with them Um, and so knowing your why and why you're doing what you're doing is important because you're going to need it when times are hard You're going to need need to know why you're getting up and facing this another day or helping somebody that is, is all of a sudden lost their home and living on the streets and you're trying to find somewhere but nobody can afford to live in London, you know, you've got to know your why. And, um, and, and, and also to know that actually, You know, when I came into social work, I was like, I'm going to change the world. I'm going to change the world. And, you know, um, and I still have that optimism. It's not gone yet, but I have where, what I've done now is where I am. I like it. It's good. You need to have it. Yeah. You've got, you've got to have that wider ambition, but, but I think it's about actually where I am, I'm going to do my best. To make the change that I can make where I am and connect with people who has the same vision or may see it differently, but has the same aim, you know? So, so yeah, I would say, know your why, go in there, understanding why you're doing what you're doing good. It has to be beyond money or, or, or any of that. Yeah. And, and, and do, do, do your utmost best. Leave work knowing you did your best.

Savia Rocks: 52:15

So. My next one ties into the previous question slightly. So what is Maria's legacy? We all have a legacy within us. It doesn't have to be the biggest legacy. Sometimes being kind to an individual that doesn't know you, they remember it for the rest of their life and that leaves a legacy itself. What would you say is Maria's legacy in her life that she would like to leave behind?

Maria: 52:42

One of the things I hope that when I, when I'm involved with anything, I I now, um, um, I get involved because I want there to be a long lasted impact and change. I no longer go into things where I don't think that could be the end result. So that's, that's, I'm very, try to be very intentional about what I put my time and my energy to, that's like, you know. But I think the big, one of the things that I would want to be remembered, when you've met Maria, there's been a change, there's been a difference. You come away with a different view. You come away with a, With something and that's what I would like that people felt that their lives have been touched in some way

Savia Rocks: 53:30

I like that that makes definite sense to me. So Maria, I just have one more for you And that is we I would love for everyone to be able to find you. Yeah. Also, where can we find you? Where can we read your book? Where can we buy your book? Where can we find out more about the beautiful Maria?

Maria: 53:48

Oh, thank you so much. So yeah, the, the book, um, is on Amazon at the moment. So it's Embrace Your Why and the Value of It, Maria Morgan. You can get it on Kindle as well. Um, oh God, I'm on all platforms to be honest. I'm on LinkedIn, um, Maria at Maria Morgan. Um, I'm on Instagram, um, My Narrative. No, Maria M. Um, I'm reading now ma Morgan dot, um, inspire, um, YouTube, um, my narrative in pieces and I'm on Tik TOK. And also I have a consultancy company, um, business. So if anyone wants me to speak or do some coaching, um, I'm on contact at M a Morgan consultancy. com. I have a website as well. So. Yeah, you can catch me everywhere. I

Savia Rocks: 54:44

like that guys go and support Maria, make sure you get in contact. Having someone new, fresh and inspirational is always a beautiful thing to have. And this is where Maria, I say, thank you so much for taking your time to come on the ask people show for showing your compassion, your kindness, your vulnerability, especially, and just being authentically you. Thank you so much.

Maria: 55:08

Oh, thank you. It's been such a privilege being here and talking to you. Thank you so much.

Savia Rocks: 55:13

Thank you so much. And guys, I want to say thank you so much for listening to the ask people show. And please remember you can subscribe and leave us a review on Spotify, iTunes, Google play, and any other platform that you prefer listening to. Please also connect with us every Thursday at 8 PM UK time. You can also see us on Apple TV, fire TV, free view channel two, seven, one. YouTube and anywhere else that you desire. Please also listen to us people podcast on Tuesdays and you can find us on the ask people podcast website. Also guys, thank you so much for listening. Stay happy, stay positive. And as always, please continue. To be kind to one another.

Tony: 56:03

Yes. If you try, I.

Maria: 56:30

Understanding my place in education and, um, also understanding my, my abilities and it wasn't as academic as some of my other peers, um, but I, from that and, and going on into college and university, I begin to teach myself and understand what my brain thinks. you know, um, process things and begin to understand my strengths and where I had a challenge. Where do I work on that? So I think going into college and, um, university, I found myself and found my own path. Voice and, and started to appreciate the way I.

Tony: 57:33

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.