The Sisterhood (plus one)
Over the last month I’ve had the distinct blessing of being part of an online challenge hosted by a friend of mine. The purpose of the event was to help us become more visible on social media, allowing us to make a greater impact on the world around us.
It was a wonderful experience, that at times pushed me to get clearer on what I’m doing with this work, and at other times gave me the joy of seeing new friends succeed and push past their own limiting beliefs into a greater clarity and sense of purpose.
Interestingly, I was the only guy in a group of amazing, talented and wonderful women.
Which I was think was as fascinating for them as it was for me. I’ll admit to being a little nervous as to how I was going to be received – this one Y chromosome in a sea of double XXs.
I hoped my presence wouldn’t be disruptive to a sense of community with the group, which is vital for these kind of things as people need support and trust as they share their truths, and push past their fears.
What I found, to my joy, was quite the opposite.
Because during one Facebook live, the phrase was used ‘a sisterhood plus Alan’, and it was suddenly adopted into the lore of the team. It was kind of humbling for me to feel part of a group filled with people I really admired, and it made me reflect on how important connection and community is to our soul, and our wellbeing.
To quote from a favorite show, “The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives”.
Being suddenly accepted and inducted into the Sisterhood gave me a sense of belonging, which in its own way denotes a connotation of acceptance, as though you have been judged and found worthy.
But most of all it really added another testament to a belief I hold that although we may differ in gender, race, belief and desires, we are more alike than we are different.
And it is our similarities, not our differences, that bind us and allow us to grow together.
So as I learned from my new found ‘sisters’, and shared my thoughts and feelings with them, we each partook of the kindness and knowledge that was shared by all, and in doing so, we each received more that we gave.
Despite what a Math professor may tell you, sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and that is especially true when each person plays their part without ego, without fanfare and without selfishness.
Just a wonderful group, with a courageous leader, working together for the good of all.
What we can do together is so much greater than what we accomplish alone, but it’s easy to allow our small differences to create division over harmony, and disagreement over hope.
So today, I invite you to consider who you might be able to forgive in the cause of community, and reconcile and move forward with. If we desire a world of peace, we have to begin by reaching out to those from whom we feel separate, and bringing together our dreams and desires.
Because no one is an island, and we need each other to thrive.
— Dr. Alan Barnes
@maddrbmusings