“What is the hardest thing to teach others you work with?”
The question caused me to pause. I knew the answer but there was a problem. The hardest thing to teach was something that you cannot teach.
“The hardest thing to teach is the value of ‘we’ versus ‘I’. I have not found a way to teach this idea. The best one can do is to introduce the idea and hope that an individual chooses to adopt it. For most, they will struggle to accept the idea of ‘we’ being better than ‘I’ for the rest of their lives.”
Even for those that believe, there are moments when ‘I’ triumphs. Self is a powerful force. We live with it. We understand it. We know why we like to make it number one. ‘We’ requires that I put self in second place. It says that I believe in something more, something out of my control. It operates on a foundation of faith that rests with others.
Over time, different writers have tried to illustrate the way ‘we’ works. There are musical metaphors; “If musical instruments—flutes, say, or harps—aren’t played so that each note is distinct and in tune, how will anyone be able to catch the melody and enjoy the music? If the trumpet call can’t be distinguished, will anyone show up for the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14.8) There are clichés; “the sum is far greater than the parts”. Everyone rests on a simple premise. Together we can do more than anyone can do alone.
I can introduce someone to the idea. I can open them up to experiences that show the idea is true. I can testify to its power in my life. However strong the idea is, it only comes to life for you when it becomes part of your heart. This choice is an exercise of freedom that you control.
The value of community cannot be taught. Even sharing the idea can be hard. Yet, in the decisions of a day, one expresses where one’s trust lies. Sometimes, hard things are easy.
