Work Together.

As it is Labor Day Weekend, I want to give a shout-out to all the hardworking people out there. Take the day off to relax and enjoy life because life is not just about working.

That being said, a few days ago my family participated in this thing called "Trail Explorers." They took old abandoned railroad tracks and placed a bicycle-like structure where you can pedal on the tracks. It cuts through the woods while giving you a little workout.

We went on a 4-person bike. The back right seat is the one that controls the speed of the bike and the brake. That was the seat that I took because I love to cycle and had the most consistent pedaling action.

Pulling out of the station, everyone was pedaling with gusto. With all 4 people pedaling together, it took very little effort to move quickly. As we made our way down the tracks, people started to get tired and take a break. As soon as one person stopped moving, the pedaling got a little more difficult. When a second person stopped, it got even more difficult. Next thing I knew, I was pedaling alone. And I had to exert tons of effort just to slowly move forward.

Once people started pedaling again, it took little effort to move fast.

Dealing with your grief alone takes tons of effort just to move you forward slowly. If you stop pedaling, you come to a halt. When you get support for your grief (whether that is a therapist, coach, support group, or community of peers), it is like having more people in the bike with you pedaling alongside you. It helps to reduce the strain and allows you to move forward more quickly. And if you need to take a break, they are there to continue the forward momentum until you can start pedaling again.