"I can go faster alone, but we can go farther together." - African Proverb
Enrich your vocabulary to enrich your experience and that of others. A few words from other languages illustrate. Often there is no substitute word in English.
1. MUDITA... from Sanskrit, an ancient language. It means, "Your joy is my joy." Learning to celebrate the success or good fortune of others is a useful skill. It's easy to envy others or be jealous. We experience more happiness when we share in others' success.
2. UBUNTU...from Swahili. The Celtics used Ubuntu during their 2008 NBA Championship. It means, "I am because we are." This celebrates the connectedness or interdependence inherent in community...and teams.
3. SAWUBONA... from Zulu. It is a greeting meaning "I see you" or "We see you," recognizing the uniqueness, worth, and experiences of another. It implies a deeper connection than a mere, "hello."
4. GEZELLIG...from the Dutch. Gezellig has no exact English translation but reflects warmth and togetherness. It got some attention in the series "Ted Lasso."
5. AMAE...from Japanese...meaning a quiet trust that others will continue to care for you. It implies emotional safety. How teams come together after both winning and surrendering points reflects AMAE. An error does not remove your mutual trust.
6. SISU...from Finnish...unshaken perseverance and resilience despite adversity. Grit isn't always self-sustaining. Connection can fuel it.
The best teams have a special bond that outsiders can't necessarily see or haven't experienced. It's the ability to rally because we care about each other and we are in this together.
Lagniappe. "I try to reach the ball even if it seems hopeless."
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