Trusting the Process

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to trust the process. Spiritually and professionally.

I’ve been using those words often in my coaching sessions, so I took a moment to actually reflect on what they mean for me…

Professionally…

When I launched the TooREL Institute for Social Change three years ago, I had a clear vision for the kind of organization I wanted to build and the impact I hoped we could make. What I didn’t have was a roadmap for every step along the way.

And maybe that was the first major lesson on this entrepreneurial journey.

As I reflect on Years 1 and 2, while prepping for Q4 of Year 3, I am deeply grateful for what has taken shape while trusting the process.

In Year 1, we trained more than 1,400 individuals, established meaningful collaborations with national, state, and community-based organizations, provided individualized support, and began building a foundation rooted in our mission, vision, values, and commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming environments for all.

In Year 2, we trained more than 1,300 leaders and practitioners, launched new leadership development initiatives, expanded partnerships, created new learning experiences and resources, and continued building an organization grounded in our mission, values, and commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming environments for all, while centering people, collective care, and shared accountability.

Yet, some of the lessons I value most cannot be captured by numbers.

The conversations.

The connections.

The relationships.

The unexpected opportunities.

Most importantly, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always mean moving faster.

Sometimes it means saying not yet.

Sometimes it means saying no and standing firm in that no.

Sometimes it means choosing wisdom over urgency.

Sometimes it means giving an idea the time, care, love, and grace it needs to become what you envisioned.

And sometimes it means trusting that the seeds you planted will grow in their own time.

I’ve definitely learned to lean into the sacred pause.

Trusting that growth is still happening during the quiet seasons.

That part. Feels especially meaningful right now.

Because after the sacred pause, you have the energy, clarity, and capacity to share what you have been quietly nurturing, pruning, and growing.

As I’m wrapping up Q3, I’m excitedly heading into Q4, finalizing a new resource that has been developed with much love and grace, reviewing the final edits to the recording from Dear Black Women: A Love Letter…, and preparing to release the new TooREL Poster Collection.

Ideas that all started as seeds and have grown into something I am incredibly proud to share.

Three years in, I’m still learning. Still growing. Still planting. Still trusting the process.

And I am deeply grateful for every person who has trusted TooREL, partnered with us, learned with us, challenged us, encouraged us, and helped us grow.

Has the journey been easy? Absolutely not.

Staying true to your values can cost you opportunities, relationships, and sometimes even revenue.

As I often remind my team, colleagues, and mentees, all money is not good money.

Has the journey been rewarding? Most definitely.

Trusting the process has become the roadmap for this season.

Take a moment to reflect on what trusting the process means to you.

• Where might you need to slow down, pause, and simply say not yet?
• What are you quietly nurturing that may need more time, care, and intentionality to grow?
• What would trusting the process look like for you in this season?

Here’s to continuing to sow seeds and build with gratitude, faith, grace, and intention.

People First. Purpose Always.

- Arlene Vassell, Founding Director, TooREL Institute for Social Change