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Charity Founder Diary Entry 1

Writer's picture: Mariel NicholeMariel Nichole
Dear Diary

Every day I feel like I’m bursting at the seams. How can I move faster, learn quicker…build what my vision is.


Literally.. I feel it in my body


It’s so close…and time passes so fast…

And there is still so much to do. 


I’ve devised a plan…



It’s the solution to the mental health crisis. It saves tomorrow. 


Everyday we hear people all around us, and even ourselves, communicate about the mental health pandemic we are in right now.


Our kids are the most anxious they have ever been, our friends are dropping like flies…we are burnt out, uncertain. 


I hear a lot of people having conversations around mental health, I am so thankful for the shift that is happening.  


Even showing up and having those conversations is being a part of the solution.

So thank you…


The other way mental health has been communicated is by all of the programs/organizations/coaches/therapists coming in as support and resources; with 90% of them being a ‘reactionary’ response. 


'What About Bob?' is a hilarious movie I grew up watching that introduced what therapists are. Maybe not the best depiction of what they do... but... nevertheless!
'What About Bob?' is a hilarious movie I grew up watching that introduced what therapists are. Maybe not the best depiction of what they do... but... nevertheless!

Over the past year I have been doing soul searching.

I have been deep diving into who I am, what I stand for, what my personal mission statement is.


To find out who you are means that you have to look back. I used to love that saying ‘never look back’ … until I realized that the me I needed to go back for (no child left behind), was in my past. 


You know know that Indiana Jones movie,Temple of Doom (if you know, you know), where Willie has to stick her arm through the whole with all the spiders in it 🤮… That is what intentionally looking back felt like to me.


It took courage. It still takes courage, but I’ve grown into my brave.



Willie from the Temple of Doom in a scene where she has to overcome her fear in order to save Indiana Jones' life!
Willie from the Temple of Doom in a scene where she has to overcome her fear in order to save Indiana Jones' life!

But anyways, I did the work and am continuing to do the work… and it’s lead me to the next chapter of my charity. Well, my life actually.


I started F.A.E as a Canadian registered non-profit in 2021 with a long time mentor of mine. We both brought lots to the table but unfortunately our values were not aligned and went our separate ways. The separation was sadly a very hard experience for both of us. I am thankful for who they were and what I learnt; both from the individual and from the separation. 


This past fall my non-profit followed through on its commitments to the community it was supporting, said goodbye and made its way to the Fraser Valley. My home. We also became a registered charity (I didn't know they were different things with I started the NPO ins 2021, I have learnt so much!). I cannot express my deepest gratitude to the Richmond Sunrise Rotary Club for their donation that allowed us to put in the application. 


With the chapter of non-profit, old commitments, adversity and antifragility coming to a close; and my introspective hard ass work now in my tool belt, heart and mind….. I know what needs to be done. I know it will be hard work. I know I have the grit to do it. I know I have an open heart and mind to learn all I need to in order to create the change I want to see in the world.


So I guess the question becomes…



Are you in or are you in the way? 


Talking about all the shit going on that are the side effects of mental health isn’t enough anymore. Yea it’s important to talk about that, I am not saying it isn’t.. I am saying that we need to start putting in a lot more action.


Is having the reactionary response resources absolutely necessary?


Of course!


That being said… if we continue to focus more on reactionary it will never bring balance, put a dent in, make sustainable change and progress. It just does make sense…not even mathematically, I know that and I suck at math!  


We need to start taking proactive measures today to equip tomorrow.


What does that (equipping tomorrow by being proactive today) look like to you? 


I would love to hear.



Make sure to stick around to read about the journey I am embarking on. I should have been documenting it all sooner; but better late than never.



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