Go Tribal!
Kamnen and Keith (VisionForce Africa 2010)
When you take your stand, you are often alone at first. You are the lone visionary, the lone revolutionary, the lone entrepreneur, the whistle blower, the black sheep, the crazy one.
You are the one stepping off the beaten path, and going where few may dare to follow. And it is natural to feel fear, doubt, and even shame and guilt, when acting contrary to the customs of your tribe and the dictates of your tribal elders. In their eyes, you may be walking the path of shame.
And they may judge you, cut you off, excommunicate you, for the stand you have taken. And then what? What do you do when you’re all alone with the systems, authorities and culture stacked against you?
Will you compromise your heart and your conscience, and return to the acceptance of the tribe? Will you turn from your path? It’s your heart that is calling you to walk forward, isn’t it? So why not walk with honor? And with people who understand you and honor you. Why not join a tribe of visionaries! Or, start your own tribe, visionary!
Often the lone visionary has nowhere to turn, no new “tribe” to belong to. The single mother, for example, who leaves a dangerous cult or a violent husband to protect her children, may find herself completely alone. Every day she wakes to the judgment of the world, to her own self-judgment, to fear for her children… and she doesn’t want to run to another religion or another man. She just needs safety for her and her children. She needs to be seen for who she is and the stand she has taken. She needs time and space.
For years VisionForce has been experimenting with ways we can help such individuals, who’ve taken a courageous stand and then find themselves alone. We’ve helped Visionary Mothers (like Rachael), Visionary PeaceMakers (like Thad), Visionary Entrepreneurs (like Clovis) by honoring them, by supporting them in creating communities where they are seen, honored and supported, by giving them skills for staying true to their hearts in the face of great adversity, etc., etc.
If you find yourself alone after taking your stand, know that there are ways you can build deep community, where there is safety, trust and mutual honoring. You don’t have to be alone, and you don’t have to be alone in creating your tribe either.
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