On Saturday afternoon we spent time with Josh and Karly Knapp and their family in Kalamazoo. Our two families are quickly becoming very good friends! Around 6pm we decided to visit Apple Knockers in Vicksburg for ice cream. Delicious….! We then walked to the local park so our children could run out of energy before ending our visit and heading back to the Allegan.

While I was in the park, my oldest son, Talen, was on the swing. One of my favorite things to do is spin my kids on the swings and let them fly! So I did, and he had a lot of fun. This, of course, led to the other children, Tyrus and Alexis, wanting to do the same. Once they were done, I asked Talen if he wanted to go again, this time we’d twist it to the max and see how fast we could make it vibrate. Talen totally agreed! He sat on the swing and I began to spin. Higher and higher and higher, to the point where he barely had a grip and there were no more chains to twist. He was literally higher in the air than I was. When I released him, giving him a little extra push to get him spinning quickly, he was out, and I mean he was flying. As we watched it go round and round and round, about halfway through the journey, one of the links snapped and Talen quickly found himself lying on his back laughing and also wondering what had happened. As for the rest of us, we were laughing and shocked that this was happening. Nobody was hurt and the experience was very pleasant.

After this happened, as we headed back to our vehicles to head home, I told Josh that I was going to somehow turn this event into an article. I mentioned to him that there must be a lesson we can learn in order for the article to be of value to those who are reading it. Thinking about it a bit, we came up with “The Weakest Link”.

So here is the lesson. As we learned from this experience, Talen, Tyrus and Alexis all turned on the swing. However, when Talen went a second time, something happened. Only one of the links broke and the chain snapped. Can someone say teamwork? Think of each link in the swing as a member of a team. When each link works in unison with each other, everything works correctly. However, even if a single link is broken, the entire team feels the effect. It only takes one sour grape to ruin the bunch.

Teamwork is extremely important for almost anything you do in life. In your work, there is a team of people, each of whom is responsible for a particular task.

Many times you will hear about situations or circumstances where someone on the team is not doing their job to the best of their ability. When that happens, other people have to pick up the slack. This can cause animosity between the team and create major problems in overall productivity.

However, there are other circumstances in which team members not only perform at high levels of productivity, but also go above and beyond the call of duty. Therefore, creating a team that is strong and capable of handling any task feels your way. There is power in working together as a team.

As another example, think of a family. First there is the mom and dad. Before becoming a couple, each was their own individual. Once they got into a relationship, they became a team of two. It takes work to make a relationship last, and it will take effort and sacrifice from both parties to make it happen. Then the children enter. Now the team got bigger. Each member of the family has their role to play on the team, especially as the family/team continues to grow. In our family we are known as Team Curtis Family. Melissa and I have four children. When the six of us work together as a team, life can be pretty good. However, even if one of us, adults or children, doesn’t play our part, things can get crazy, FAST!

Dads are expected to work and take care of the financial aspects of the relationship, while also spending time with the family. Moms are always busy taking care of the house, raising the kids, supporting dad, just to mention a few. (Women/moms are amazing!) Next, older kids are needed to help with housework, in addition to their studies, and help with their younger siblings as well. The younger children also play a very important role in the team.

It’s your job to keep your older brothers and sisters in line. They have to lead by example, constantly reminding their older siblings to stop fighting, do the dishes, and do their homework. Heh heh, and you think I’m kidding! (Well, a little, but if you have younger kids, you know what I mean!)

My point is that regardless of the exact circumstances or situations, when you work as a team, productivity is at its highest potential. Six hands working on the same project will always beat one, at least in theory! There is power in numbers.

So remember, the next time you’re working on a project at work, cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, or spinning on the swings in the park, it only takes one weak link to break the chain. Work as a team, grow as a team and win as a team!

Blessed to be a blessing,
Ron