Strength in Numbers

 There is an African proverb that has been resonating with me lately:  "If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together"

When I think of this proverb it reminds me of a mindset I have carried with me for as long as I can remember.  The desire to reach goals and accomplishments all by myself, always under my own steam and without requiring help from anyone.  It almost became a badge of honour to be able to push myself into a corner and yet manage to achieve what ever it was I was going after, and being able to say to myself (or anyone who asked) that I did it all on my own.  Where did this deep desire and need to perform on a solo basis come from?  I am not entirely sure, although thinking back to my earlier school days, I know that I was often left with a bad taste in my mouth when we were assigned "group work".  I found that group work was code for a group being brought together to capitalize on the work of one or two dedicated individuals, and I tended to be one of the ones who was on the working side of the equation.  I even remember asking teachers to be allowed to work on my own instead of in a group, for that very reason.  

Fast forward to the early days of my career.  Landing in a field that is a predominantly male-dominated one definitely spurred me towards carrying my own weight, lest I be seen as a "fragile female" or using my female status as a way to get things done for me.  Pride, I suppose, is a big part of that as well.   It felt good to be able to look at what I had achieved and not have to credit any of it to anyone else.  

What I find interesting though is the fact that I have been open to helping others, and have enjoyed feeling like I could be of help to others.  Despite the fact that I have tended to not want to ask for the same.  In reading Brene Brown's work I realized that although I could offer help and be counted on to support others, I was not ready to be vulnerable enough to admit that I could use help also.  I felt like if I admitted I needed help or looked for support it would diminish my accomplishment because it was no longer mine.  

Learning to shed armour and to be more authentic about who I am, the strong parts and soft spots, has taken a lot of time and bravery and has been so worth it.  It has ultimately allowed me to start to look around, open up and engage with others in a way that I have not been able to before.  I have started to have collaborative conversations about dreams and goals with others in my circle who are also following their dreams and forging new paths.  The energy that comes from these types of conversations can only be described as magical.  Goosebumps, butterflies in the tummy and general excitement have been the biggest side effects, along with a sense of peace and ease that comes from knowing that I am not alone.  I do not need to be alone.  We do not need to be alone.  We can all have our own dreams and visions and we can come together collectively and share and build upon those.  

Imagine if we started to connect and allow our energies to mingle and grow.  Imagine the ripple effect that would have in our lives and in our world.  Imagine how that would elevate our collective vibration and the positive outcomes that we could ignite.  All from simply looking around, reaching out and sharing thoughts and being open to hearing the thoughts of others.  From being vulnerable and able to feel comfort in the knowledge that we are all scared and unsure and that although our journey may take a little longer, we will ultimately get much farther when we move forward together.