The sprouted seeds that create most non-profits are often powerful and personal stories. Stories that can revive a bored board meeting or fuel a fundraising event. They can be told with pictures, videos, or blog posts.
But sometimes they need to be told face to face.
This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a meetup in Florida with Patience Salgado, Sanjay Patel, Liz Rosas, Shannon Aronin, Danny Brown, Stacey Monk, Jen Lemen, Vince Hunt, Charles McKeever, Avi Kaplan, Kira Siddall. Without getting into the details, the main point of this meeting was to deepen our connections with each other. We did this by sharing our stories and dreams.
I interviewed Stacey Monk a few months ago, so I was familiar with the Epic Change mission and their success with Tweetsgiving. But I wanted to hear the personal back story. I wanted to hear the “why”.
So when I had a minute alone with her, I asked: “Why did you start Epic Change?”
What followed was an exchange that helped me renew my own personal dreams and resolutions – my “whys”.
Six and a half years ago, Stacey’s brother died from a drug overdose, devastating his family and leaving behind his 4-year old daughter, Zoe. The morning of his death, Stacey went through photographs in her mind, including one of a double rainbow she snapped while flying over the Rocky Mountains.
Stacey remembered thinking how sad it was that her brother never had a chance to see such beauty. Five years after his death, she reflected “I think I travel so much now because I want to take him to all those amazing places that he missed. People often ask me why I went to Africa. I think I went to take Josh.”
Stacey realized that life is short, but the value left after one’s death is forever. A couple of year later, Epic Change was born.
I shared with Stacey my story as well, which I’ve shared throughout my blog. And in my heart, I renewed my resolution a behalf of my mom.
Do you think Epic Change has new meaning for me?
I used to think Epic Change was about making lasting, positive change in the world. But now I know that it’s much more than that. Epic Change is really about the change the Stacey made in her life – an individual human revolution as a result of tragedy. It’s about the epic changes I’ve made and will continue to make in my life. It’s about the epic change in your life too.
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One more question: Do you think I’m more committed than ever to see Epic Change succeed?
That’s why we need to share our story.
This is such a great example of how to really go deeper in understanding and relationships! Thanks for sharing John
Sometimes the most important stories are the ones hardest to tell, ones we only feel safe sharing face-to-face with those – like you – whose hearts are wide open and ready to hear the whole truth.
That said, we need to be fearless. Thanks for asking. And thanks for helping me work up the courage, and the words, to share my whole story.
I'm beyond grateful to have your help creating Epic Change.
(ps: good luck this week!)
A story-telling weekend, with very little bedtime
A preacher man, a magic girl, and all the other kids at soul camp. I had the most fun ever with all of you.
And here we have it: genesis. Thank you, Stacey and John, more than I can say.
I think fearlessness is one of the emotions that is often overlooked by many people, Stacey. What you brought together this weekend – and what our new group of friends are about to do – shows the fearlessness in you. I'm grateful to know you.
John,
You're a good man, fella. I don't need to say anymore, because all my saying comes through what I learn from you daily. Here's to changing the world in November.
Please thank Stacey, not me!
Stacey – because I had the guts to ask – and you had the guts to share, we both walked away richer. If you play a guitar very loud in the same room as a piano, the piano will resonate with the notes that were played on the guitar. In the same way, stories like yours awaken (resonate) that which needs to be told within others.
Thanks to Mama Lucy too!
I think we were warriors (or farmers) in Scottland in a previous life.
Amen brother! Jocelyn
Amen brother! Jocelyn