The Power of a Support Team.
I love the African Proverb that states “If you go through the high grass where the elephant has already gone, you don’t get soaked with the dew.” I grew up in Zambia where elephant grass can grow as tall as 10 feet. I have vivid childhood memories of walking for hours with my friends, in search for our favorite wild fruits. We would normally follow a footpath that someone or something had already made. On occasion, we would have to chart our own path through very high grace. This was no easy job for a bunch of kids but that was part of the fun of living in the savanna grasslands.
What I didn’t like about our adventures was charting a new path in the morning .The grass would be so heavy with dew it would literally soak our clothes and make us all itchy. All that came with the territory of pioneering a new footpath.
“If you go through the high grass where the elephant has already gone, you don’t get soaked with the dew.
The wisdom of the proverb above lies in understanding the value of asking for help and learning from those who are ahead of you. In other words, a great support system is important for avoiding rookie mistakes and achieving success. For the past several months as I prepared for my eBook, Worth All That, I have had to lean quite heavily on my support system to carry me through some of the heavy lifting.
Click here to buy my new eBook Worth All That
Why do we often hesitate to ask for support?
I believe many people find it hard to ask for help because they are afraid of being hurt or disappointed. At the core of many of the walls we build around our hearts is the fear that when people come too close, they will find our deepest weakness and then reject us. So we build layers of self-protection and pretenses while we die inside from loneliness
Looking back now, when the idea of writing a book first tagged on my heart, I didn’t think I had much of a support system. I had a few friends and family I knew I could always call on, but that was about it. As soon as I submitted and wholeheartedly began to pursue the idea, I was amazed at how God began to build a strong support team for me. They came from unlikely places, bursting into my life with talents, gifts and skills I never dreamed I would have access to. Only God can do this for one ordinary woman from a small (but beautiful) village in heart of the Savanna grasslands!
I know there are many people, especially women who are like me. You are hesitant to pursue the dreams , interests or projects that God has put on their heart because you are afraid or don’t know where to start. How about you just by praying for a support team
How do you build a support system?
- Pray to find people who can handle your hidden shame and fears with compassion.
- Pray to find people who can point out the truth with love when you are sabotaging yourself.
- Look out for people with a similar belief system as yours.
- Look out for people that have walked “a mile in your shoes”
- Avoid surrounding yourself with only ‘yes’ people-people who are scared to offend you even when they know you are wrong.
- Avoid critical and mean spirited people who will crush your dreams because of jealousy or immaturity.
Where do you find a support team?
- Among your family members – Who knows you better than your family?
- Close friends who are willing to help but don’t know you need the help.
- Acquaintances with skills that complement yours. These can be people from church, social clubs or any other community contacts.
- Professional contacts- you may have to pay to have access to these but they are worth the money if you are getting the value and support you need
- Social media- Social media comes with the good , the bad and the ugly but it also has the best. Connect with like-minded groups and you will be amazed at how much support you an receive.
How can you support others?
Being part of a support system requires that you support others in their endeavors too. You have talents, skills and strengths that can build someone else. Offer support without always looking for something in return. There is so much joy in giving what you long to receive.
Don’t walk alone.
If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far go together.
No one can promise that you won’t be slowed down or hurt by people you allow into your support system. However, I believe you will miss out on so much life, fulfillment and success if you try to do it all by yourself. The Only one who can love us perfectly with pure unconditional acceptance, guidance and timely correction is God. I also believe God has set up support systems for all us, to make our calling manageable and even enjoyable. If you need a support system, be one and pray for one. See what God will do for you. I’m so thankful for the support team that God put together for my book project.I know for sure I wouldn’t have made it without their support and encouragement.
Click here to buy my new eBook Worth All That
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