Clang… Click…  The steel-barred door firmly shut and locked. The five of us were secured inside a cell that would have been a cozy fit for two. None of us had been arrested before, and we weren’t sure what to do next. Someone began examining the gibberish–scrawled in permanent marker–on the cement wall. I fumbled with a combination lock that was fastened to an antique cabinet in the corner.
Fortunately, it only took a few minutes for one of our team members to decipher the hieroglyphics, and the fourth combination suggested was a success. Inside the wooden cabinet was a framed picture and a journal–filled with more, mysterious clues.
The hints led to uncovering a hidden, extendable steel-pole, with a fishhook attached to one end. The tallest member of our team cautiously extend this device through the bars and carefully hooked it to a key–strategically hidden in a fishbowl–at the far end of the room. The key fit perfectly in the cell door, but opening our cell was only the beginning of our journey. The next step was to escape from the locked room.
Our second escape was more complex. It involved cracking a computer code and using a lighted web-cam to retrieve another combination from inside of a locked drawer. This combination led to the discovery of a secret room, and ultimately, to our escape.
We had teamed-up successfully to release ourselves from our escape-room maze in fifty minutes flat. It wasn’t a new record, but it was a success. Working together, the five of us accomplished what no, one of us could have done on our own.
The escape-room experience was a Christmas gift from our in-laws. The girl’s team was up next, and I’m proud to report that we guys escaped slightly faster. Apparently, these rooms are a popular form of entertainment in Europe and are trickling their way into the United States. This interactive, team-building puzzle is something that I would definitely do again. Not only was it a fun end to our holiday adventures, but it was also an excellent reminder of the power of teamwork.
Teamwork: One of my Greatest Surprises of 2015
In the past, I’ve been skeptical of online friendships. After all, how much of a relationship can one develop with someone living hundreds or even thousands of miles away? One of my most pleasant surprises of 2015 was discovering just how meaningful cyber-friendship can be.
Over the past year, casual acquaintances have developed into full-blown friends. Of course, tools like blogs, social media, and Skype have made these long-distance relationships easier than ever. Today, connecting with my new-found blogging friends is one of the highlights of my week.
It’s also how I’m growing both as a writer and personally. The prayers, words of encouragement, bits of writing wisdom, and real-life conversations, have far exceeded expectations.
It’s also been a joy to be able to pray for my friends, cheer them on, add my insights to their writing, and brainstorm strategies on how to make life work.
My Teamwork Journey
Learning how to team-up with others has been a process. And it’s an area where I would like to continue to grow. Teams are powerful. Whether you are locked in a puzzle-maze, trying to think your way out, or looking to expand your writing platform, teaming-up is the best way to get the job done. That’s why I’m declaiming 2016, my year of teamwork.
This year, I’m excited about doing more collaborative posts, more guest-posting, and more connecting. In 2015, I read fewer books and more blog-posts–Mostly because I love the personal interaction that the blogging environment creates. Being able to ask honest questions, and receive practical feedback–from the author himself–is incredible!
Of course, this ties into why I began this website, in the first place. Life is an ongoing conversation, and there is rarely only right answer. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” Wise leaders connect with others and harness the power of teamwork.
Since I’m declaring 2016 as my teamwork year, I thought I would start by hosting my first link party. I discovered link-parties a few weeks ago and am having a blast networking and making new friends. If you write or blog, I would be honored to have you join in by adding one or two of your favorite posts from 2015. It’s easy, fun, and takes less than a minute to do.
And while you’re at it, please be sure to take the time to visit some of the other submitted posts, leave a comment, and make new friends–after all, that is what these parties are all about. The only requirement is that your post is family-friendly and touches on a topic of family, friendship, or faith.
Continue the Teamwork Conversation
Before you go, what are some of the ways that you are teaming up with others? Since 2016 is my year of teamwork, I’d love to hear your wisdom and insights on how I can best team-up with you in this new year!
Happy New Year Jed! Count me in. Blessings and Thanks.
BTW: Here are three posts I want to share.
The Legacy of a Mom Who Raised Men – A tribute to my mom upon her passing. http://www.1glories.com/the-legacy-of-a-mom-who-raised-men/
Why Yes, Real Men Can Have Pretty Toenails – Some thoughts on being a “real man” while raising three daughters; it is routinely among my most read posts. http://www.1glories.com/why-yes-real-men-can-have-pretty-toenails/
The Lost Art of Being Neighbors – A quasi-review of Dave Arnold’s “Building Friendships” with reflections on my childhood neighbor and a challenge to be a better one to others. This post had been forming in my mind for years, but it was not until I read Dave’s book that I was finally able to formulate ll the thoughts into something readable. http://www.1glories.com/the-lost-art-of-being-neighbors/
Good post choices there, Chad. (Left some new comments on a few there.) And it was good to connect in 2015. One of my own goals this coming year is to protect more time for personal “inputs” including collaboration, by saying “no” to more requests that are outside my focus area. I got myself in deep, spread too thin, toward the middle of 2015 and it’s taken this long to begin extricating myself. But I’ve never been more resolved. Looking forward to open more time for creative elbow-rubbing with people such as yourself in the year ahead.
Thanks Erik. Appreciate you taking the time to give them a read and comment. The “time-suck monster” certainly got the best of the best of me in 2015, too! As I look at my 2016, I realize that I am over committed already and hoping to inject a little personal discipline, organization and clarity of focus to get a better balance in place.
Happy new year! Thanks for joining in, and for sharing and promoting too! I just figured out how to correctly configure this link-party on my site. If you like, please free to re-add your posts, directly to the page, as this will make them easier to find 🙂
I agree, Jed: 2015 was good in the “internet friend” department – and with intention, 2016 will prove even better.
Here are two popular links from The Best Advice So Far 2015, which I think your readers will enjoy:
our gang: The top-ranked post of all time on “The Best Advice So Far” blog, and with good reason. A heartwarming tribute that begs the question, “Are creative people happier? Or is it that happy people – are more creative?”
our gang: part 2: Thoughts on how deep friendships are formed, and a challenge to take some risks in your own relationships.
Erik,
I love these posts. They were some of my favorite too, as they show what friendship can and should be! Wishing you an incredible start to 2016!
Glad to join you! Thanks for creating an opportunity for bloggers to work together! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, and thanks for joining in!
Happy new year, Jed! I appreciate your article and link-up opportunity. I tried the joining links thing but not sure I did it right! When I link back to my blog https://brokennesstobeauty.wordpress.com/ it only shows my current posting so I try to paste in the one I want to share. In this case the title is “Goliaths and Greater Things.” But I don’t know what “grabbing a button for my site” means! Help! So much to learn!
Bless you and yours!
Thanks Jacquline,
You and me both 🙂 This is my first time hosting a link-up, and I’m learning along the way. I just figured out how to get the post images to show up, directly on the site. Your post, is up there. Thank’s for joining in. Don’t worry about the button. Those who participate in multiple link parties, often have a page connecting back to each to party, so that other’s can join in. If your looking for a list of other great Link-ups, you can find the ones I follow here: https://blog.ithrive320.com//linkups/
Wishing you a very happy new year!
Hey, Jed!
Happy New Year! I love teaming up with you. Many people are starting off the new year with a resolution to exercise more–usually for the physical benefits. There are spiritual benefits to exercise, too. Here’s one of my most popular blog posts from last year:
4 Essential Spiritual Benefits of Physical Exercise
http://www.jonbeaty.com/4-essential-spiritual-benefits-of-physical-exercise/
Thanks Jon,
This is such a relevant post for the start of the new year, and I always enjoy teaming up with you too. Wishing you and your family, an incredible 2016!
I’m glad you’re doing this. I’ve been wanting to meet other bloggers who share similar interests. This is going to help me meet some writers and perhaps I’ll make some new friends.
Do you know, I truly think that 2016 is going to be an amazing year. What you’ve shared – about being determined to work more with others and build others up – I’ve been hearing from all sorts of people. This is going to be a year of teamwork, of support, of help and encouragement. One thing that I’ve decided to do this year is find out the needs and the strengths of my readership and start bringing people together who can help each other. After all, why are we blogging if we’re not building a community?
I’ll add one of my posts to your linkup. Thank you.
Excellent post and I’m so glad you shared it with The Blogger’s Pit Stop.
– Marie, Blogger’s Pit crew
Thanks Marie,
I just stumbled across The Bloggers Pit Stop last week, and am already learning a lot from you guys. Thanks for joining in!
Great post, Jen! Happy to visit and link-up with you this evening, Love! Happy New Year and GOD bless you, beautiful friend! 🙂
Thanks Tai,
It’s great to connect, and thanks for joining in the link-up. Wishing you a happy 2016!
Hey Jed, That’s way too good looking a group to be in Jail ! Good theme for 2016 and a great message to kick-off with. Going to steal that theme as part of my 2016 as well. Thank you for the insight!
Hey David,
I’m stoked you dropped by the site! That was a fun adventure, and we all can’t wait to have you guys back in April.
Nice to meet you Jed! New blogging friendships are a good thing 🙂 I haven’t been blogging too much during 2015 besides my linky party so I have nothing to share, but one of my goals in 2016 is to try to get a few posts in each week.
Thank you for linking up with my No Rules Party..great to see new faces.
I may be a little late to the party, but I’m in. You really are an example of reciprocating and I appreciate the opportunity to participate. Happy 2016
Thanks Vickie,
I sure appreciate the words of encouragement, and I’m glad you joined in the link-up. Hoping your 2016 is off to an incredible start!
That looks like it was a lot of fun and realizing the power of teamwork was an added bonus for sure, Jed. I’m grateful to visit your place and know about you and your linkup. I’m also grateful for your comment back at my place, my friend! Yes, blogging friendships have become a rich and fertile part of my life. It’s hard to explain to anyone who has not experienced it before. They just don’t get it, but I look forward getting to know you and your blog! Happy New Year too!
Thanks for stopping by. I love your site–especially the honesty and compassion in your writing. I’m looking forward to connecting more in 2016!
Great idea, Jed! A link up sounds like fun!
Glad to connect with you in 2015. Looking forward to a wonderful 2016.
And, I agree… finding like-minded blogging friends makes it so much sweeter!
Hope you have a blessed day, and I’m glad you got out of jail!
(Found your post today on Social Butterfly~)
Melanie
Hey Melanie,
Yes, I’ve been having a lot of fun joining in at Social Butterfly, and some of the other link-ups. So much fun, that I could’t help but try it out myself. Thanks for stopping by and joining in.
Wishing you a wonderful 2016, a well!
Congrats on the new link up, Jed! Happy New Year to you and your family! I think it is a great idea to do team work, and it is truly amazing how social media can have you “meet” so many talented people. What an interesting Christmas present. I was reading this and I am claustrophobic, and I am thinking there is no way! Thanks so much for linking up with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Thanks Kelly,
Thanks for dropping by and joining in. Yes, it’s awesome connecting with everyone on #SocialButterflySunday. I’m looking forward to joining in again. Wishing you and your family a happy 2016 too!
Team work is a beautiful thing 🙂 Happy 2016!
Yes it is. Thanks Julie, and happy 2016!
Jed, thank you for creating this and for the invitation! I’m looking forward to making more connections, happy new year!
Thanks Gene,
I sure appreciate you dropping by and joining in. I love your site. You’ve got such an important message. I’m looking forward to teaming-up more in 2016!
Jed,
Let me know if there is anything I can do. Seeing a lot of the same familiar faces and friends here. A great example of building teams and relationships.
– Kirby
Thanks Kirby,
I sure appreciate you joining in. Yes, it’s fun to see so many mutual connections. Thank you for all of the encouragement and support along the way. I’m looking forward to many more times of teaming-up together in the years ahead!
Hi Jed. I’m pleased to meet you in cyberspace. I’m glad you chose to share with us on Spiritual Sundays. I know what you share will be very inspiring. Keep up the good work.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Hey Charlotte,
It’s great to connect and thanks for joining in the conversation. I love teaming-up with you guys at Spiritual Sundays, and am looking forward to joining in again, next week!