Have you ever created a legit sand castle? Until our annual Renew Year Retreat in San Diego I never had. I've had many failed attempts with the plastic buckets and supposed sandcastle-making kits you get from the store, but it wasn't until our retreat and partaking in an actual lesson that I learned. While there are many lessons and takeaways, such as water and the "plop and jiggle" are essential for sandcastle-making success (that's for another journal), it was after 14 women spent 3 hours shoveling, scooping, carrying water, digging, packing the sand, carving, dusting, and creating three beautiful sand castles (many of which had staircases, windows, doors and portals) my biggest takeaway/reminder is based upon this African Proverb and scripture:
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." African Proverb
"Two are better than one because a good return comes when two work together. If one of them falls, the other can help him up. But who will help the pitiful person who falls down alone?" -Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10
Like the quote and scripture, building three large and elaborate sandcastles in three hours is going far, and for sure it was only because there were 14 of us and we all worked together. Also like the scripture, at different times one or more of us did "fall"--in the form of taking a break, engaging in a side conversation, getting a drink, taking a picture, and sitting or lying down to relax. All the while, someone else would step in and take our place.
This "two is better than one/community/Power of We" message is always relative, but given the time of year--while we are pursuing passion, purpose, next steps, goals and determining what "living your bold and best life" looks like and consists of, I'm reminded that it not only takes boldness to want to pursue something new, different, or ambitious, but it also takes boldness to share what you are in pursuit of, to ask for help, to allow someone to walk alongside you, to hold you accountable and even give you the "stop stalling, you got this" nudge.
What I know for sure is if I was told I had to build three elaborate sandcastles alone, I'd still be in San Diego--shoveling, scooping water, packing, carving, dusting and having zero fun! The "plop and jiggle" wouldn't even make me laugh, but thank goodness for the team of 13 other women who literally co-created a sandcastle masterpiece that even Cinderella would've been envious of!
So, how about you? What are you going to boldly say "yes!" to, boldly create, co-create and pursue this year?...and as you take the bold steps to living your best life, who will you boldly ask to walk alongside you?
Love,