Comrade or Competitor?

Aligning heart and action.

Are you walking the walk and talking the talk…really?Life has been a chaotic spring jumble of late - it may have something to do with launching a new issue the very same week my office was packed up in boxes while being painted, and the resident teenager was celebrating a milestone birthday. To say that I was discombobulated is an understatement. I even started this blog 3 different times with 3 different streams of consciousness and finally took pause to give it some space.It is in this space that that which needs to emerge comes forth and let’s itself be known.I don’t know where your good ideas come from – but many of mine pop up in the shower. Don’t ask me why — I often think I should have a waterproof recorder for dictation because, God knows, I can lose an idea as fast as water travels down the drain.But seriously, when I paused to settle into what I really wanted to talk about this week — the thing that seemed to be swirling about me was something that resonates deeply – this notion of being comrades not competitors. In the latest issue of Best Self Magazine, there was a convergence of synchronicities that wove together a tapestry of divine co-creation.

Sometimes as Editor-in-Chief, I push my ideas and my inspirations – and sometimes I am met with resistance and roadblocks. In those moments, I’ve learned to wait…and the ‘right’ co-creators arrive.

I surround myself by people I can trust – whether it’s their advice, their guidance, their friendship — or even with my vulnerabilities. I call them my tribe and it’s an ever-expanding, non-exclusive club with one caveat: One must be a comrade not a competitor.What exactly does that mean? Here are a few things to ponder:

• In business, in life, in relationships – do you consider yourself a champion of others or an adversary, sitting at a table for 1?
• When someone is operating in the same field as you, what wells up — a spirit of community or one of opposition?
• When a ‘competitor’ hits a milestone, builds a big following, successfully launches a new venture, etc. – do you celebrate or pout?
• Does the success of a peer inspire and elevate your energy or deflate your essence (i.e. your power)?
• Do you feel that there isn’t enough to go around and that they might be taking your share of the pie?

I’ve observed the habits and behaviors of many in this arena of ‘spirituality’ and ‘self-empowerment’ from a bird’s-eye view, and I have to say, I’ve witnessed some not-so-magnanimous behavior at times, and it got me thinking. What’s everyone so afraid of?Despite the self-defeating fallacies we tell ourselves from time to time, there is enough for all of us, no matter what arena you are operating within. I’m not immune to insecurity and fear. Let’s be real – it doesn’t mean my green-eyed jealousy doesn’t flare up on occasion – but the reality is that, when it does, it has more to do with me than anything I am witnessing in another.Do you pat a fellow colleague on the back for accomplishments or find a flaw to converge upon? When we operate from the spirit of communion – amazingness abounds. It’s like the image I chose for this post. Look closely – there are 2 rocks together creating the beauty, the imagery of the heart. This is the bridge of creation and celebration. And it manifested within the current issue featuring Dr. Kelly Brogan, where one peer opened our eyes and another opened the door – collaboration at its finest. It certainly takes a village.The very day Kelly’s book published, our contributing editor, Jennifer Kass, texted me to say – I have your cover! And then, Dr. Christiane Northrup (our issue 07 feature), a pioneer in the field of women’s health and the author of Goddesses Never Age, immediately jumped on board the Kelly-train and reached out on our behalf. In this generosity of spirit, she not only supported Kelly’s work, but helped us celebrate it too!This is a prime example of walking the walk and talking the talk – and steadfastly celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of others. This is the window to magical things.

When we operate from this stance we become a part of that same energetic flow – and our world expands. It is law. So why aren’t more people doing it?

How do we realign and connect with that flow?We get our noses back in our own backyards and focus on being our best selves, the best versions of ourselves. Then we tap into our intuitive spirit. We cease from whining and wallowing in a sense of lack and tap into community, abundance and creative flow. When we celebrate others, we celebrate ourselves. This is some seriously fertile ground.What we need to remember is that the whole picture matters. How we get where we are going matters. How we build our followings matter. How we celebrate others matters. How we give credit where credit is due matters…it all matters. At the end of the day, it is a reflection of how we are feeling internally about ourselves.The path to peace is found in that space of us, coming together in unison with a knowingness that we are better together. And lest we forget, there is room for all of us. Let’s walk that walk and talk that talk…emsemble. We will all be the better for it.Talk to me — I love hearing your comments below!