Do you work well with others? Cooperation is a very important skill that we all need in order to succeed. We parents check for our children’s cooperation at home and on their report cards from school. If children’s cooperation is lacking, correction is given by us as parents and teachers at school. However, as adults, we sometimes operate more independently in virtual silos (with walls of shields for our protection) and this can hinder our ability to benefit from cooperation with others. Yes, there is great benefit in retreating into our inner selves for our health but we must also collaborate and cooperate with others, especially with those who have the ability, knowledge, and experience to help us grow.
Biologically, we have to cooperate internally with ourselves in order to be effective runners, walkers and athletes. For example, our footstrikes need to be at least somewhat in sync to stay upright. If we misstep or overstride, we can slip and fall. As an asthmatic, I think of my lungs a lot and they have to cooperate in order to allow us to breathe effectively and efficiently. It’s helpful to have the ability to calm and relax our brains so our mind is not interfering with our ability to be healthy and exercise free of unnecessary fear. Mind over matter. And the heart and the lungs must work together with the brain in order to exercise effectively and safely. If there is conflict between these three organs, problems can occur.
Even on the road, driving, biking, running or walking, we have to cooperate with other vehicles and people, obeying the rules of the road to avoid collisions and injuries. If this doesn’t happen, the police takes corrective action to enforce the law and the rules so that we can keep more people safe. And airplanes must do the same, avoiding each other in the sky to keep things safe for everyone.
Running with our dogs, we must cooperate and have agreement on at least pace, direction, and who is on which side to keep our dogs and ourselves safe, along with anyone else we encounter. If we turn and pull in opposite directions, we are defeating the purpose of healthy cooperation. In the photo above, you can see Misty and I turning in opposite directions. It happens. And when it does, one of us must yield for safety reasons. In slippery conditions, if that doesn’t happen, it creates a risk of preventable injury. As Misty’s owner, I have to warn her where there is mud, puddles, ice, and snow (especially ice and snow). So we use commands and hand signals. She’s pretty good about obeying the safety warnings (except with puddles).
Similarly, we all have a responsibility (or even a duty) to warn each other of safety risks others might not be aware of. Cars. Icy patches. Mud. Wild animals. For example, if we see a mountain lion, we are running in an unsafe area and we need to warn others. And on the trails, it’s pretty common to pass along those risks we have encountered to others.
We all need a basic awareness of danger and risks as we exercise in order to prevent problems but not allowing it to rise the level of a fear that would interfere with our ability to run and exercise in a relaxed state.
Sometimes we run in groups in group runs or with a coach or in races. We have to be aware of each other and cooperate in order to not collide. And in a group run setting, we can collaborate a little more on pace and direction to keep things safe for everyone but to provide a little bit of a challenge, even if that means inserting some fartlek (Swedish for “speed play”) bursts into the workout. When we have common goals, it is very helpful to work together. For example, if you are running a race, it is wise and prudent to run with a pace group and/or the official pacer. We can encourage more people to meet their goals that way by allowing everyone to feel fully engaged and supported in a healthy sense.
If we focus more on others and helping them meet their goals, it is easier to be a cooperative person (without compromising your principles). It really helps to ask each other: how can I help you? It’s when we get lost within ourselves that we feel like a silo exists that may keep us from interacting, growing, and cooperating with others in a healthy sense. We all have the unique ability to help others with our knowledge, wisdom, and experience. Don’t be afraid to share it with others and others will reward us with the same gift. Unwrap the unique amazing gifts that God has given you and run the for the prize.
Cooperation is better when we can be visible on the road in all conditions. Remember to wear bright reflective clothing. What’s the point of being invisible? If you need to find something to help you, try Brilliant Reflective safety strips, which come in stick-on and iron-on varieties in various colors. I’ve been using these for quite a while and am very impressed with them. We even use the safety strips on the dog leash for added security when I run/walk with Misty. It just gives us added peace of mind to be able to know we are taking adequate safety measures to protect ourselves, our pets, and those around us by being visible. You can find out more here at their website: BrilliantReflective.com.
Can you cooperate more effectively and more deeply with others? It’s an important question, especially near a holiday weekend when many of us will be surrounded by our families and friends.
Let’s cooperate and encourage each other to grow and succeed. We’re all in this together. If we all do a little for each other, together we can accomplish a lot. We can achieve more together than we can independently. Don’t be a stranger, be a friend to those in need. And together we will succeed.
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