Much has been written about heroes, heroines, famous individuals, and how “it only takes one” person to make a difference, but I think we’ve got it all wrong. It’s not one person that makes a difference, it’s two. I was intending to write about something entirely different this morning, well, maybe not entirely, but certainly this wasn’t the title I had in mind… until I called my neighbor on the phone and was reminded of the power of two. On Fridays I usually write about sustainability; I do actually think the power of two is an applicable concept… keep reading.
I’m not talking about Anthony and Cleopatra, Bonnie and Clyde, Burke and Hare (an infamous pair of Scottish serial murderers), or Frodo and Sam, though those could all be examples of the power of two. I’m not even thinking of McDonalds and Burger King, Mars and Hershey, or IBM and Apple, though, thinking back, these business twosomes were part of what keyed me in to the power of two. I’m thinking of one neighbor and another, one partner and another, one friend and another, or even one blogger and another, because I’m convinced it takes the energy of two to make things happen. And when you have the energy of two people going in the same direction, amazing things can come about. They don’t even have to be spectacular things, just small but amazing things, and sometimes they’re apparently about competition, but still, they are about two.
I’ll give you some examples. In Kansas City a large, successful, secular homeschooling group was started by two moms. I’m absolutely sure that this group had an amazing impact on a large number of families. I don’t think it would have happened with one mom. In fact I’ve noticed that every time I see a thriving homeschool group it is run by two moms. A couple of years back I started to get to know one of my neighbors; I can be slow in this department. The trigger was me starting my Usborne book business and inviting her over to see the books. Because of this I now: give vegetables from my garden to neighbors; exercise regularly; enjoy evenings out with my husband while my kids have a fun time with 2 lovely people; share and celebrate holidays and family events together over home-cooked dinner; give and receive food when someone is sick or stressed. Today I received a free video rental from my neighbor – she offered it for me to watch before she returned it. How’s that for frugality!
Here is the really fun thing. Neighborliness starts to spread. It only takes two to get started, but before you know it you start to talk to others. One person has a garden, then 2 do. Two people are exercising, then 3. We can’t all go off in the woods, live a hermit life, and be sustainable. We don’t need to. We need each other. If we reach out we might just find the power of two.
Have you witnessed the power of two? Do you agree it applies to sustainability?
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I really enjoyed browsing through your archives. Please don’t forget to bring me back here on your next update? Also I would like to follow your blog.
Thanks
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed reading, Rising from my Ashes. Keep coming back and visit with me and my readers in the comments
Loved this post! I completely agree about the Power of Two – having someone to bounce ideas off of, share the work, inspire one another, etc. is so important. I think when it comes to sustainability, this is especially important!
What just popped into my mind is Jenna Woginrich – she started out on her own, just wanting to learn more about homesteading skills. She met one woman in her office who lived on a farm and was willing to share her skills. Jenna ended up making huge changes in her life and eventually even wrote a book on the topic – Made From Scratch
Jenna’s book sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out. Now, some would say that was the power of one, that one lady at the office who inspired Jenna. I still say it’s the power of 2, but then I’m a 2nd born so I would, wouldn’t I?