Come Together

I get by with little help for my friends. - The Beatles

Each week I struggle a little with what to write. The main reason is that there are so many ideas I want to explore; yet, I want to keep this short and simple. One concept that comes to mind more and more, and is a major focus of my book, Find A Way, is the power of a group, of a team, of peers, friends, mentors, and coaches.

As human beings we are drawn to the idea of togetherness-we form emotional alliances while working and living together in community. We reach out for help, kindness, and love, in times of fear we seek the comfort of others.

As we continually face new challenges in our lives, fear will be a by-product of those challenges. Fear is a natural part of life. For example we have an instinctual fear of falling. The amygdala, the central core of our brain, controls autonomic responses associated with fear. Our flight or fight response is triggered in the amygdala. We don't run away from lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) in our everyday life anymore. We have different challenges. We have bills to pay, planes to catch, soccer games to get to, sales to make, and the ever-changing technological issues to deal with.

So what are we supposed to do when, at a very young age, we are taught to stand alone, to be tough, and to suck it up, cupcake? Okay...sometimes we do need to suck it up; to stop whining and move forward. We don't need to do it alone. When we are afraid or challenged, we can reach out and ask for help. Ask for comfort. Ask to be listened to and ask for advice-that is the way it was meant to be.

Come together. Join forces with a group, a team, with peers, friends, mentors, and coaches build alliances and grow together.

One person can have a profound effect on another. And two people...well, two people can work miracles. They can change a whole town. They can change the world. - Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, Cicely, 1992

A coach is like Jiminy Cricket, whispering guidance, encouragement and objective advice in the client's ear. The coach can assist the client to take greater responsibility and accountability for their actions and commitments. - Bill Schoeffler and Catherine Oak, The Insurance Journal, August 7, 2006

~ Dennis