On this day 7 years ago I posted about the Social Synapse — a new way of visualizing the amazingly complex, intricate, and often hidden world of connections, the spaces between us that link us together. 7 years ago, I didn’t know what mycelium was, but the calling to embody it, to investigate and live our interconnectedness was strong.
Last week I announced that I am stepping away from the leadership of Mycelium. I will continue to serve as a consultant with this precious organization, a free agent who is dedicated to the work of learning how to be like mycelium on the social scale. The mission continues to live through me and it is time for my wings to spread in other directions.
Here is the letter that I wrote to the Mycelium Network and I offer it here as it speaks to the sentiment in my heart.
Dear Mycelium Network,
After taking a few months to stop and recalibrate, it has become clear that it is time for me to step away from formal leadership with this organization. These 4 years together have touched me in profound ways. What a gift to partner with others and bring something so inspiring to life — to grow a community, launch programs, nurture a culture, challenge business as usual and experiment with how we live this metaphor of being an interconnected, underground learning network. It has been an amazing experience and I am filled with deep gratitude.
Thank you Matthew, Co-Facilitators, Journeyers, Council Members, Learning Partners, Funders, and all others who are part of this system. We have held a vision so tenderly and beautifully that life-changing experiences have happened, magical moments ignited, life-long relationships grown and we’ve had countless opportunities to learn from one another. We’ve stretched, groaned and giggled and, I believe, made the world a better place as a result of us connecting. Thank you for this dance!
My next moves are still revealing themselves, though I will continue to facilitate learning environments and engage communities as we work together creating a more equitable and just world. I will also be a consultant/free agent with Mycelium. Please stay in touch.
And as for What’s Next with Mycelium… Matthew and the leadership will be taking some time to pause and reflect about this next chapter of the organization. He will be in touch in the next month or so to update you.
With so much love and respect,
Ashley
P.s. The image is a photo collage from a couple of graphic recordings from Learning Journey Retreats. Special thanks to Kate Morales for the visuals they’ve brought to life in our gatherings.
Ashley…
I still have the Earthanima small card set that you gave me at one of my first meetings years ago…I ran across them a few weeks ago and relocated them nearby on my desk to keep you close in mind …and then a few days later, I ran across a link to an old blog post of yours, (divine intervention?)…learned of your ‘time to recalibrate’ and then today’s post.
You are amazing [and easily amazed] and so wise to take time out to reassess your life and direction. I have found that many of my life changing opportunities or pivot points have come to me when I have made similar choices as your recent one. Yours seems more aligned to what Dr. Marsha Sinetar refers to in one of her books “self actualizing adults who live their lives guided by the rhythms of their inner wisdom.”
No telling where your journey might lead; yet we all know that it will be filled with wonder and goodness and always deep care and supporting work with and for others.
Wishing you all the best in this next chapter of your life and selfishly hoping that our paths might cross enough here, in the near future, to connect again in some way.
Perhaps an awe inspiring hike ?? A light lunch? A simple walk??
Take care and reconnect as and when you can.
Love and gratitude for you,
Kay
Hi Kay!!!
I love this quote: “self actualizing adults who live their lives guided by the rhythms of their inner wisdom.” I aspire to that! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Makes me miss you even more! I would love to cross paths. I’ll reach out via email. So much love and gratitude!!