the founder’s journey

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Bert Hellinger wrote “The So-called ‘Black Sheep’ of the family are, in fact, seekers of liberation roads for the family tree. Those members of the tree who do not adapt to the rules or traditions of the family system, those who were constantly seeking to revolutionize beliefs, going in contrast to roads marked by family traditions, those criticized, tried and even rejected, those, by general, they are called to release the tree of repetitive stories that frustrate entire generations.

The ‘Black Sheep’, those who do not adapt, those who scream rebel, repair, detoxify and create a new and blooming branch… countless unfulfilled desires, unfulfilled dreams, frustrated talents of our ancestors manifest themselves in their rebellion looking to take place.

The family tree, by inertia, will want to continue to maintain the castrating and toxic course of its trunk, which makes its task difficult and conflicting… Let no one make you doubt, take care of your ‘rarity’ as the most precious flower of Your Tree.

You are the dream of all your ancestors.”

On a Wednesday in a cafe… I watched it begin again. Kidding. Great song. But really, on a Monday… in a Kava Bar.

I was processing how deeply I have met myself to date. The resounding question remains: “How deeply can we truly meet ourselves?” – I am certain it is human nature, but I always feel like I have met myself as deeply as possible – only to experience a new depth in the next wave.

I questioned if the many meetings with myself would be possible if I were not on a founder’s journey. Would I have met myself? At her most versatile and vulnerable points? Would she have been free enough to open the door to herself? Would any other journey have been able to crack her open at the depths like this has?

I am convinced there are false perceptions of a founder. One, from the spectators in their stables, an enjoyable journey filled with excitement and freedom. Another, from the eyes and lips of your own family, delusional pessimism.

The word founder comes with the connotation, at least in my perspective, that an individual is a creator. And that this creator has overcome adversities in order to bring about this creation – emerging into the frequencies of our reality. There is a power associated with being a founder – a responsibility.

A founder takes on a responsibility of speaking into existence their creation – and guiding others to a better path. Whether that path guides someone to save time, money, or make better decisions. Though, life should be experienced, and problems should be examined thoroughly if we are to truly raise up a generation of founders sent to guide us. I know in my heart that we will not be set free by sensor garbage cans and apps to further materialism.  

There is a respect for progress in exchange for the price of ‘becoming a founder’ – yes? Yet, even as I strike a balance between shedding judgment for others, I still fail to recognize some work products while our world is gradually and exponentially imploding around us. Who am I to judge what makes an individual happy or fulfilled – I am no one – but how are we to raise up a society as founders and guide them – if we are not unified in the future we wish to create? I have assured myself that a sensor garbage will not, in fact, save humanity.  

As the black sheep in my family – I seek to create a new branch. Not just for my family, but for future generations to come across humanity. And yes, this rarity is the most precious flower of my tree. Did I realize this in my twenties? Absolutely not. I judged myself in the ways I was judged by others and allowed it to hold me back. As I bathe in my own perspective of our world – I have no doubt that as a founder – the solutions I create and offer to guide – are all flowing through me from something greater.

This was not an educated college decision to go through formal entrepreneurship coursework and networking leading to me founding a mobile app to fasten the speed at which vitamins arrive to my front door. No. This black sheep was under development until I proved to be ready for the assignment. I recognized that there was a mission I had been assigned and that this human body was merely a vessel for it.

Though what I did not recognize before accepting this mission was that the founder’s journey would be one of the most difficult personal and professional adventures to date. In exchange for accepting this mission, this vision, and this creation – I would have to be devout.

The founder’s journey is somewhat like a battle and only the true warriors recognize the others. We balance between navigating a maze, accepting the challenges, meeting diverse expectations while meeting ourselves, leaping with risk on the horizon but faith in our soul, and often never discussed – the wrecking ball we watched swing against our career, finances, and personal relationships.  

On the founder’s journey I have discovered just how far I can live outside of my comfort zone and relinquish my ego for the vision. The founder’s journey has allowed me to meet myself more deeply, but in different ways than my spiritual journey accomplished. I see what I am willing to risk, delay, and altogether accept might not come to fruition in this lifetime at the expense of the mission.

Just as a nurse can only truly understand the depth of industry with another nurse, it is only a founder who can understand another founder – and the battle. And my oh my, small wins and positive mindsets are imperative for a founder to have while in battle.

“How deeply can we truly meet ourselves?” Ask the founder. Ask the black sheep of the family. Ask yourself. It is time for us to truly meet ourselves – and create our new reality.