A spontaneous group hug from The Littles—can you count all four heads?—took place at the train station in New Jersey after hanging out with the youngest of my support team members. (The Teens, of course, are way too cool to do group hugs. Not that either of them were even out of bed when this photo was taken, this being summer vacation.)
Part of my support team
And now I’m in Cincinnati at a writers’ and speakers’ association conference. Fabulous keynote speakers; an interesting panel discussion; a *state of the industry* address; informative break-out sessions on marketing techniques, income streams, creating webinars and podcasts.
Best of all, though, I’ve met some really great women in the industry. Sistahs who get my addiction to writing, willing to share their creative ideas.
Part of my support team
So what does a really great support team look like?
1. Family members and friends.
And sometimes the support you get from them comes from giving to them. While I was in Jersey, The Parents left town for a few days. My gift to them. But all my kids and grands have given me so much more. Creative solutions that allowed me to take an early retirement. Believing in me, encouraging me in my passions to write and speak. Best support team ever.
2. People who have similar sorrows and pain.
One of the last speakers at this weekend’s conference was a woman who lost her husband to Stage IV prostate cancer in 2014. He was given two years of life and lived much longer. Does that sound similar to someone I know and love?! (Hint: Hubby.) I spoke with this woman afterwards to find we have several other things in common — i.e., wondering if we had grieved correctly because neither of us had fallen into any deep, dark holes. We have promised to keep in touch.
3. People who share your obsessions interests.
Like the writers and speakers I met in Cincinnati. Like women with yarn and knitting needles seated around a café table. Or hikers with backpacks and trekking poles. One of the things that keeps me out of therapy is getting up into the Cascades near my home. And when you combine getting outdoors with a group of fellow hikers, snow-shoers or kayakers, well then … support and stress relief in spades.
4. People who offer critique.
I recently submitted the first three chapters of my book to a panel of judges. And in return, I got some excellent encouragement and critique. I’m jazzed to return home and do some re-writing of my book. Yes, my book needs some re-writing. And I wouldn’t have known this had I not taken the risk of letting someone I don’t know into my life who cared enough to offer support through their area of expertise.
Support teams. Accountability groups. Coaches. Cheerleaders. We all need them. Because we’re better together. Because, from time to time, we’ll need courage. And others will need our courage. Because we weren’t meant to do life alone.
What about you? What does your support team look like?
P.S. If you found this post helpful or inspirational, please share, pin or tweet!
Kathy Ward
My support team also consists of a wide variety of people, mostly women. My mother and sisters, a friend I have known since the 8th grade, another since 1982, I am 62…you do the math 🙂 Ladies in my church and Bible study group, and several who don’t participate in those types of activities, women who are leaders and residents of Shepherd’s House Women & Children’s Center, where I frequently volunteer, and last but definitely not least, my husband, who is also my best friend!
Marlys Johnson
Awesome team, Kathy! (We forget how important these people are in our lives sometimes, don’t we?)
Lisa R Gray
I totally concur…We have and will continue to support one another in our journey to do what the Lord has given each of our hands to do!
Blessings to my new friend in the Lord…Maryls
Marlys Johnson
“Supporting one another in our journey” – well said, Lisa!