I grew up on a farm. When you spend your days weeding soybeans, watching corn mature and harvesting juicy tomatoes, you learn about the interrelatedness of all things. The sun, rain, soil and air work together to support the growth of new seeds.
At the same time I was learning to be a 4th generation entrepreneur – making it on my own. Interrelatedness took a back seat to my individual retirement account. Before I knew it, my umbilical cord was snipped from the natural world. I worked on my own and I worked a lot. Independence was my goal, but instead of feeling free, I felt more like a machine.
Co-dependent relationships aren’t much better. You lose yourself in the dysfunctional, harmful effects of trying to hang on to someone. But there’s a better way. If you look closely, nature will teach you the art of interdependence. Being interdependent, you operate as your unique self while still being connected to everything. Look at the wildflowers, the bees, the rain, the sun.
The seed doesn’t say, “If I get help from the sun I’ll lose part of myself and become more like the sun, or if I take in the rain I’ll become more like rain.” The seed welcomes the nurturing support and because of it, grows into its highest expression. It’s able to give more of itself and the cycle continues. Learning how to receive nourishment from others will be your secret to success in this new age of creativity. Leaving the information age, it’s time to meld ideas, learn from each other and grow like crazy!
So as you’re traveling on your journey, take in the support that’s all around you. There are people with years of experience in storytelling who can help you tell your own story better. There are people living with unbridled passion; take it in. What do you need right now to grow into your full potential?
P.S. One of my last clients learned better communication skills from me and I learned how to cook from her. Happy campers all around!