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If you want to go fast, go alone. 

If you want to go far, go together.

This quotable saying may (or may not) be an authentic African proverb. Whatever it’s origins, I have found myself thinking about it since the trip I took with a good friend earlier this summer.

Sure, if you travel alone, you can make your plans and do them without having to take the time to consider anyone else’s opinions, interests or abilities. It’s efficient, and there is a time when that takes priority.  

Of course, you can go fast only if you don’t get lost. Even with GPS, there were times it took two brains and two sets of eyes to figure out how to get where we were going.  

More importantly, what happens when something goes wrong? The first morning on Martha’s Vineyard I was particularly grateful I was traveling with a friend. I had just climbed out of bed and as I passed a mirror, I thought I never noticed that large, dark mole on the back of my arm. Turning to get a better look, I realized it was not a mole. It was a tick. And I wasn’t sure what to do. I don’t live in an area where there are many ticks, and I’d never had one.  I vaguely remembered how my mother removed a tick from our dog, but I had none of the supplies she used. I thought of running downstairs to ask the innkeeper for help, but I couldn’t quite imagine interrupting everyone’s breakfast to discuss my tick. Besides, I was still in my pajamas and was hesitant to disturb the little critter by changing.  This was a lot for my still-sleepy brain to process! Fortunately, I was not traveling alone.    

I texted my friend who had already left the room. She quickly came to my rescue and removed the tick. Then she Googled some information and assured me I was very unlikely to get lyme disease.  I was especially glad to know that later in the morning, when we took a tour of the island and our guide went on and on…and…on about how Deer ticks are a problem in the area and lyme disease is a “life-altering experience.” Not only had my friend helped me out earlier, now on the tour she knew what I was thinking and could laugh with me. 

Traveling alone has its advantages, but I have to agree with the writer of Ecclesiastes, who wrote:

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.”

– Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  (NIV)

Please keep sharing the quotes that mean a lot to you! I have enjoyed reading them, as I’m sure other readers have.