Humans are social creatures.  It’s part of our DNA and how we are wired.  Did you know that there are single neurons in our brains whose job is solely to detect upright faces? Clearly if we have brains designed with interaction in mind (seeing and detecting faces), we are meant to do things together. And we do – we form families and we work in groups and we love, lean, scream, and play together. And in the better moments – we lift each other up and help others to be their best.

And as social creatures – we know when to ask for that help.

A friend of mine recently asked those of us on Facebook to help her be accountable for her running. To keep her on course and not just running once a month. Of course I stepped in to comment – SURE! I made the commitment – but I’ve haven’t fully thought out how I can help specifically.

Jessica is busy – mom to the most adorable (and active) almost 2 year old twin boys.  So I can’t argue when she’s got limited time due to child care concerns. She helps her husband to run their business. That business – a martial arts studio. She’s a black belt so she could totally kick my booty if I tried to strong arm her into running.  Despite these time constraints – she and I both know she could make the time to run. And she is willing – hence her need to step up and ask for help.

So here’s my first help at holding her accountable – blogging about her and reminding her that I will be cyber-hounding her as best I can. 🙂  And encouraging her in person when we see each other in our women’s bible study group. I don’t intend to yell or guilt her into running – but gently remind her that she can do and that she’s got someone to lean on if she needs. Once she finds a groove and makes running a habit – it will be much easier. (Hence the reason habits are hard to break. Too bad we are all so much better at developing poor habits that we do need to break!)

Actually accountability is one of the reasons I have managed to keep up this blog – and my running. My friend, Stephanie, started running shortly after I did. And she is planning to run the Disney 1/2 with me. (Have you signed up yet, Steph??) One of the best things she’s done for me is tell me that my blog is one of the first things she reads when she logs onto the internet in the morning.  (Clearly she needs to get out more!) So when I’ve not written for a day or two – I start to think that Stephanie is probably wondering what the heck I’m doing. So I realize I need a blog post. Then I realize I need to run – a) cause that’s what the blog is about (largely) and 2) cause I can clear my head and think about writing when I’m running. Thank you Stephanie – for guilting me keeping me accountable, lifting me up, and helping my running in important ways.

So who are you help this week?  How are you going to go forth and lift up your friends when they need assistance keeping up their good habits? And who are you going to reach out to when you need the same?