I will be the first to admit that I'm not always the biggest team player.  I tend to every-so-often catch myself forgetting about the fact that I'm not all alone tackling this task of completing the I Ho Chuan, and eventually ending up grading for a higher degree at the end of the year... I have a whole other team along side me doing the exact same thing.  When I look back on this whole year, I've noticed that I haven't really made that much of an effort to reach out a helping hand to others that are struggling on the team; I've been so caught up with my own struggles, that I have to keep reminding myself that there are others going through the exact same thing that I am!

I find it extremely out of my comfort zone to go and ask others for help when I'm struggling.  I always think that I can figure it out on my own... even though I know that I can't.  But, the whole experience of the I Ho Chuan has forced me out of my little bubble to reach out to others for help.  And, I've found that the goals that I thought I would never complete are becoming attainable through the help of my fellow team mates. 

I'm certain that there are others on the team that are struggling, that have the same problem with reaching out for help that I do.  I know that this blog post is all over the place, but I'm hoping that those that are struggling are reading this, and seeing that there is nothing to be afraid of.  We have all gone through some rough patches at some point this year, and we're all here to help each other out where needed.  So don't be afraid to ask.  We all made a commitment to the team, and we have the responsibility to ask for a hand when we've fallen down.  I've learned that nobody can help you, until you have the courage to help yourself first.