I can't. You can't. But we can.

In 2013, someone I respected recommended a life coach to help me deal with a long-standing mental health challenge. I spent thousands of dollars. No result.

I read countless books, took online courses. I worked with a very compassionate therapist. Nothing worked.

I was hopeless.

After 10 years of struggle I did find a solution. Actually, I did not find a solution but the power to implement the solution.

More than the right information and a wise mentor, I needed power to take new actions.

Think weight-loss for a minute. Anyone can find a scientifically proven diet plan to lose weight in a quick Google search. Will it work? Most likely not. It is not the right information, but the power to make the right choice that we have lost. However, our minds mostly behave as if the opposite is true and often look for a magical solution hidden somewhere on the internet.

I needed to take new actions consistently to address the mental health challenge. For that I needed my spirit to be lifted daily. It was an impossible task.

Who was going to lift my spirits, on-demand? Other people who had the same problem. A blind cannot lead the blind, but they can surely lift each other up. Once my spirits were high by connecting with fellow strugglers, I had the power to take the right actions. And right actions surely addressed my problem.

Being part of some communities, I have realised that hearing our stories and struggles from other people’s mouth is a very effective medicine. It reduces our shame. It frees up our own energy. A wise group can also make us accountable in a loving way.

Our ego-minds, which create most of our problems in the first place, work in our favour in a group. The problems which seem monumental in our thoughts when alone are reduced to their actual size in a group. Also, we take actions because our ego minds don't like to be labeled as lazy by ourselves in front of others.

There is something spiritual when two or more people get together in a committed atmosphere. It cannot be described, but it can be felt. And surely, not to be missed.

Looking around, we can see that a committed community have always played a key role in all significant life pursuits. The 12-step programmes for drug and alcohol addiction relies heavily on the community of other addicts. Peer support is a crucial component in resolving trauma. The Bible is full of examples how we need each other and the importance of fellowship. Buddha asked his followers to stay together (sangha) to walk the spiritual path most efficiently.

Maybe we are put together on this earth because we need each other.