The Power of Emotional Camaraderie- My personal journey

If You want to go fast you go alone,

If You want to go far, go Together.

I love this quote especially because I have often seen myself as a lone warrior, not because I thought I wanted to go fast, but more because I believed my speed is too less and considered myself dead weight most of the time. 

Then in a recent training program I learnt I am not my belief, I have beliefs. Now this along with the number of times this quotes just appeared in front of me, made me revisit my belief structure. I wasn't walking alone because I wanted to run faster than others. I  was walking alone because I was sure I will be left behind, so much for my self-confidence. 

With this shift in thought process, a lot of things changed-

1. - I started to see patterns in my behaviour when I was shutting people out.
2. - I became more open to inputs and feedbacks.
3. - Emotionally, I was not as closed and defensive and not on edge all the time, anticipating, trying to read between lines. I let myself go. 

As I let people in, I slowly began to smile. I smile and I shined and when something held me back, I recognised it was my own frustration or inhibition in dealing with the situation. Then as part of the program, it was recommended that I read, The Art of Learning by Joshua Waitzkin. 

The book left me with some amazing lessons on learning but the most important lesson was to identify our 'soft zone'. Identifying my soft zone was important to achieving a calm state of mind. 

Another learning was the presence of a constant source of inspirations within and outside the author's circle who not only helped him learn but kept raising the bar. That is what a champion, support system or camaraderie does. They support you and keep raising the bar for you to catch up and grow together. 

Find your tribe.. and you will be surprised how bright you shine!