Hi friends. Meet @bevyandbrine. Brooke is a surfer, artist, good vibes spreader, who has a very deep, gentle and kind spirit.
What have you had to give up to get where you are?
I guess some would say financial stability, being around family, the understanding and acceptance of others, consistency... but in order for those things to be given up, I would have had to have them in the first place. I have always had to give up something in order to gain something else. I grew up with divorced parents, and I always remember feeling torn between being happy to see my dad but then being sad I’m not with my mom. That was painful, but at the same time, it made me into a very adaptable person. It’s more comfortable and natural for me to have to give up things in order to move forward or to go where I feel led to go. I know that good is always around the corner. Naturally, I am a drifter and find excitement in the unknown and new beginnings. My mom taught me at a young age about the things we never have to give up: love, inner peace, joy, and memories.
Why is art important?
I believe that all humans have a deep longing to belong. There are hurts and pains in this world and throughout life that tend to make us feel isolated. I believe through art we can feel united and also receive deliverance from our pain. When we choose to be vulnerable and share our innermost parts with the outside world, it creates strength and courage. I feel like the best example I can relate to is thinking about a moment when I was experiencing extreme heartbreak and loneliness. I was listening to a song where the artist was also describing his heartbreak. I thought about how many heartbreaking songs there are in the world. I suddenly didn’t feel so alone in my pain. I thought, it’s ok, I’m not the only one that’s felt this before, and that created a little sense of company in the lonely moment. You never know whose load you can lift by being vulnerable with your creations.
What is God?
I think God is anything that you put above yourself. To me, God is indescribable. That’s what makes God so mystical and amazing. I feel like we humans try and put God into this box so that we can fully grasp who or what God is, but I have always been happy just feeling God. God is Love, God is Spirit, God is light.
As a global community, what do we need to focus our energy on achieving?
Loving ourselves and loving others.
Where did you catch your very first wave?
Hawaii. It was classic touristy family vacation vibes, haha. I stood up like a champ on the biggest soft top I have ever seen. A hot fireman did push me into it, but I’m still countin' it.
How does one cope with change?
Welcoming it with a hopeful heart and open mind.
Any tips for someone who is grieving?
My first tip is to come find me so I can give you a big hug, haha. UGH, but if that’s not possible, patience and kindness to yourself. And therapy when you are ready. When I was very young, my dad committed suicide. I didn’t truly go through grief until I was 28. They say you can’t go around grief; you have to go through it. I dodged that thing like the plague. But unfortunately, “they” are right. I developed lots of unhealthy coping mechanisms and was permanently in survival mode for about 15 years. The thought of grieving my best friend/hero’s death was absolutely terrifying, but now I realize that the pain I was stuck in and submitting to is more terrifying than the grief itself. There is peace and joy available to you again.
What is paradise?
Inner peace.
What have you learned from your van?
To slow down and to welcome issues with grace because you’s a darn fool to think they ain’t comin'.
What is success?
I think the definition of success is always changing. Only you can define what success looks like in your life. Sometimes it’s getting out of bed in the morning. Sometimes it’s starting your own business. I think what matters most is to define success for yourself, big success and little obtainable success. But most importantly, never ever forget to celebrate your success and never ever let your successes identify you. They encourage you, but they do not define you.
What is the best meal you can cook?
I make a really good veggie curry. It’s one of my best friend's recipes; I can’t take the credit. I love food that feeds all of my friends, and this one is a favorite amongst the homies.
What is something you learned from your grandparents that has stuck with you?
The importance of hard work. I never had the chance to get close to my grandparents, but I can definitely see what they instilled into my parents. I think about my dad and all of his brothers who grew up on their family farm. My favorite stories are from my uncles about how hard they worked on that farm (along with all the stories about how much trouble they got into, too). My dad then instilled that in me at a very young age, to work my hardest at anything I choose to invest in.
If you had one memory you could carry with you for the rest of your life, what would it be?
There is this constant memory that flashes into my mind from time to time. Most consistently when I am feeling hopeless, I would say. I was 13. I was in my hometown, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. A large snow had fallen, and it was common for me to go and get lost in the woods all day long, seeing as I would get quite stir-crazy. This was something I would do with my dad most days, but he had just passed, so I was left with Jack Johnson in my iPod. I was crunching through the woods, stopping only to throw a rock or two into the frozen lake. A song by Jack Johnson called "All At Once" came on, and it is now the theme song for this moment in time. Although my worst nightmare had just happened, I was ok. By myself. Getting lost in the woods and the wonders and possibilities of life. I began to think for myself and dream for myself and plant seeds for my future. I planted hope. I think I realized that I was in charge of creating hope and joy. There was more out there, and I was going to go and do it. I liked myself in that moment. It’s easy to lose yourself when you get older. We get tossed around and roughed up in the world, but it’s important to not lose sight of our child self. They will continually lead you back to who you truly are.
How can we support you?
Wow, probably the nicest question. I think I feel most supported when I am wanted for a rad job with rad people.
What is your favorite movie to watch on VHS?
A Knight's Tale, duhhhhhhhhh.
Do you believe in Karma?
I actually don’t think that I do. I try not to think about Karma because sometimes I feel like when we focus on Karma existing, then we start to do good out of selfish reasons so that we will get good back. I feel as though when we love ourselves and accept love, we tend to operate out of love. Not because we need it back, but because it is a free gift to give and receive.
Tell me one Brooke fun fact....
I don’t know about fun facts, but I have a lot of weird facts... I get shit-faced after one drink because I have one kidney. I have a weird talent for rationing food. I was pretty poor all of my life, and I am known to make one breakfast muffin last for three days. Nickname's Borky. I have been trying to kill off parasites inside me for the past two years but have now come to terms with them, and we call them Perry.
What is the biggest realization you have had about yourself?
How important it is to be there for yourself and to treat yourself with love and kindness.
What are your thoughts on the ocean?
The ocean. Mmm. Probably my same answer for what is God, hahaha. That question could be taken a lot of different ways, but I guess my immediate thoughts on the ocean would be: teacher. The ocean has taught me so much. It humbles me. It forces me to let go and have fun and peace while not being in control. It’s my healer. Many days when I have not been able to escape my pain and anxieties, the ocean has always been there to soothe my pain in a healthy way.