TRIBES: The Gift of REFLECTION

“And time for reflection with colleagues is for me a lifesaver; it is not just a nice thing to do if you have the time. It is the only way you can survive.” Margaret J. Wheatley

I cracked up when I saw  this ad that featured glasses with tiny lights for seeing in dimly lit places. My immediate thought was that this would make a great Saturday Night Live segment. As I watched the ad over and over giggling into my cup of Sumatra, I suddenly had a sobering thought, “What am I not seeing?” “What is it that is standing right in front of me that I can’t quite make out?” It is impossible to see our lives clearly. We need an inner circle to reflect back to us the places we sell ourselves short. Our tribes allow us to grow, empower us to walk in our callings and gives us longevity.

BUT, there is resistance to this kind of intimacy.

For some of us it is hard to feel safe enough to take in that view. Somehow it always boils down to the fear of being known. On one hand, we crave that intimacy and on the other we fear we are going to hear something horrific about us. So we hide out and protect our defenses. We do this multiple ways, primarily busyness. If you are too busy to sit alone with God or make room for your tribe than you don’t have to deal with being found out. No one will discover what an imposter you are, right? So we set our jaw to protect our reputations, lay low and SMILE.

BUT, then we resist breathing the oxygen that our tribes have to offer.

This picture from the movie, “Despicable Me”  probably best describes how we feel about letting others know our struggles and stuck-ness. I read a sign recently that said, “Stubbornness Kills.” In other words when we don’t get the help and support we need we risk our lives.

The truth is most of the time God and my inner circle wants to remind us of our true beauty and power. They want to care and love us. Their hearts reflecting back to each of us a tapestry so lovely and intricate that we would never dared to believe it on our own.

It is our life’s work to hear and know the gifts and genius God has given us and to work through any obstacle that stands in our way from reflecting his glory.

So let me ask you,

What are not seeing?

Kathy Vick is a life coach and tribe participant and leader.  Contact her today with your questions or thoughts kathy@runlikeagirl.org

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