Help! (All The Ways We Need Each Other...)

"A friend is someone who helps you up when you're down, and if they can't they lay down beside you and listen."- Winnie the Pooh

We begin life connected. In every sense of the word. That connection nurtures and nourishes us until we are ready to enter the world. But once that umbilical cord is cut we are still connected. And we are still dependent. We simply cannot grow and survive without the help of another for our basic needs.

This connection and dependency remain throughout our lifetime. But in this ever-increasing technology-driven world we are experiencing more loneliness and disconnection than ever before. We have more "friends" than ever in our expanding "global village", yet our community has become almost non-existent.

If you’re a Beatles fan like me, you’re familiar with the famous song written in the mid-1960’s by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Help!

Help, I need somebody

Help, not just anybody

Help, you know I need someone, help

When I was younger, so much younger than today

I never needed anybody's help in any way

But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured

Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being round

Help me get my feet back on the ground

Won't you please, please help me...

Like so many of The Beatles songs, I can relate. Who hasn’t had a time when they felt less self-assured or down?

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Helen Keller

Community today has changed significantly compared to the 19th & 20th centuries. Through much of the 19th century, it was common for whole communities to come together to help one another in “barn raising.” This was a cooperative project that literally took an entire community to complete. It was also a great example of interdependence. Members helped each other, knowing that one day the favor would be returned.

In a time when we are desperately searching for our “tribe”, Self-Centered Women was designed to create a community of women who authentically connect with one another, uplift and encourage each other while working towards individual goals. Likewise, Rachel and I are there to facilitate and help each woman by listening and guiding her back to her inner knowing.

We have also created workshops and retreats for those important face-to-face connections that are crucial for healthy social connections. We’ve all had entirely enough digital connections with all of the social media platforms today. But what we are missing is TRUE connection and opportunities to be vulnerable and REAL with each other. This can only happen when we come together and share our struggles and challenges. We are strengthened when we are able to share our feelings and be heard.

“An arch consists of two weaknesses, which leaning one against another make a strength.”- Leonardo da Vinci

It may seem that health and life coaches are there to provide all of the answers and to be the expert. And yes, of course, we do have expertise in many areas that we can share with those that we are coaching. But, who better to be the expert in your life, than YOU? What many people desire is someone to HEAR them, ALLOW them to share what they are feeling and to BELIEVE in them!

When we have a support network we can accomplish personal goals, foster more meaningful relationships and reconnect with our community. Think of it like this. Your brain is the main hub for everything that is going on in your body. It is part of your central nervous system, along with your spinal cord. Your central nervous system is connected to hundreds of nerves in your body. And your brain- the main hub contains about 100 billion neurons, again, inextricably connected, each supporting all the other systems. And so it is with our communities. We are healthier and stronger together when we uplift and support each other.

We are truly grateful for connecting with so many of you this year. As we approach the holidays and the end of 2019, we hope to continue to expand our connections and that you will consider us as part of your community. We believe in the value of your health and well-being, and how being self-centered makes us stronger together!

With Love & Gratitude,

Kinda and Rachel