When I introduce myself as the founder of Write to Freedom (W2F) something inside feels right. This is worthwhile, beautiful work. I’ve enjoyed the visibility, the recognition - I had an idea, reached out, put the work in and W2F was born. Many, many people have been involved and supported us since 2008. The community is growing and now moves through the world without me having to nourish and nurture it so intensively.
There is a shadow side to being the founder of this amazing organism of beings, stories and transformation. As we expanded, I began to feel more and more isolated. The desire, the need to be visible in the world, to be of service and be loved, had a flip side. I wanted to step out of the ‘all eyes on me’ spotlight into the wider circle. To stand side by side with my recovery Tribe. I needed to let go of the identity of the solitary hero trying to save the world. This was a lonely and exhausting way to live. And it has very much been part of my healing process. It’s helped me get back home.
The work is now about so much more than what I brought. It is what it is, we are where we are, because of each Tribe member and what you bring.
We started to wonder how we could acknowledge the depth and breadth of the work being contributed by so many amazing folk. It was agreed, going forward, that anyone in the Tribe who helps build our community needs to be recognised as a Founding Member. If you are actively involved in what we do, you are helping build our recovery community for all of us and for all those who’ll join us in the future. This is about acknowledging each person involved in our wide-reaching work. From holding a mentoring day, staffing a residential, helping with fundraising, admin, outreach, you are each helping to build the foundations of the work and our community. For me, each member of the Tribe is a Founding Member. The oxygen and the flame.
So, this is a call, to each of you to allow yourselves the sovereignty to step into your place as Founding Members. To recognise and honour the work you do and for everything you bring to your wider recovery community.
How would it be for you to introduce yourself, in our Tribe circles and to the wider community as a Founding Member?
The next stage of growth for our community starts with you.
After all these years of searching and healing, I’m finally in the wider circle, standing with you fine ones, shoulder to shoulder. We build what we have together, from now into an unknown future. With love and luck and a wild eye on the old way, a bright eye on the new and a shared vision for peace and freedom. We are each of us, Founding Members of the work, here and now.