Body Doubling

Jesus called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two.
-Mark 6:7

I learned a new phrase last month from my friend Tori. And in our exhausted and increasingly isolated world, I think it holds power. 

We began by talking about strategies to stay focused and get things done for those of us who work from home or have a lot of self-defined structures.
She brought up this phrase called "body doubling." To me that sounded like when an actor needs to jump off a building and doesn't feel like getting all messy so they make someone else do it in their place (will there ever be another Jackie Chan???). 

But body doubling is actually a productivity practice where someone works alongside another person, even if each individual is working on their own tasks. It provides a quiet support and accountability. People will get together at a coffee shop or hop onto a Zoom call, even when they have different tasks to do. They let the other person know what their goal is during that time, so that there's an awareness and a sort of accountability. Creating a sense of shared presence like this has been statistically proven to improve focus and help people make progress, particularly those who deal with ADHD. With a friend as a body double, people can get started on tasks that are difficult to start, and provide each other emotional regulation when one is feeling frustrated or anxious.

All of this makes me want to take it farther, as I think about the impact when someone knows what you're trying to do, and you know that they're happy to support you in it.  

Humanity has always thrived when connection is prioritized. Even though we are often isolated and sometimes promote "rugged individualism" in the US, most people will at least begrudgingly acknowledge that it's not healthy to bear all our burdens or do all of our tasks quietly and alone. 

I think of the great Simon and Garfunkel lyrics: 
I have my books and my poetry to protect me [...]
I am a rock // I am an island! 

It sounds bold and victorious until the last tragic lines: 
And a rock feels no pain // And an island never cries. 

Our modern prophets have been telling us this for years. We need others alongside us to hold onto our humanity, even when we are tempted to protect and isolate. 

I am struck by what a valuable reminder this is for disciples of Jesus, both for our internal worlds and for living out our mission. We need to let others in on what we're feeling, thinking, and trying to accomplish in order to thrive in our lives. God formed us in this way. 

Reading a lot of good articles or doing introspective deep thinking on our own will only take us so far. It will leave us wanting as we seek to live out our purposes in life fully. So it's no surprise that when Jesus sent out his disciples to towns to share the good news that God had come and hope was at hand and all were invited to experience this new life— he never sent anyone alone. 

There is beauty and freedom in asking, "Would you mind being present with me? I'm not sure I have the strength or focus to make progress unless someone else is with me on the journey." And there's power in letting someone else know what you're working on. So let me ask you: 

​What are your personal desires for growth? 
What are the things that you want to do that you can't seem to get started on? 
Where are you seeking wisdom from God? 
What are your goals for who you want to become and what you want to do with your life this year? 

Does anyone else know your answers to these? Have you shared them? 
You should. I know it takes courage. But it's hard to make progress alone.

I'm not seeking to avoid the intense realities of our world with this week's writing. Instead, I'm inviting us to ask foundational questions that will always be relevant for a sustained life of faith and loving action. 

How much of your thinking and learning is done in isolation? 
How much time and energy is spent scrolling a phone or staring at a computer that could be spent in connection with another human? 
Are you inviting yourself to be known? 

Those are significant questions. So I'll just invite you today to sit with them. 
Keep showing up for others. Keep sharing your journey with others. Don't go out on the streets alone. And don't be quietly crushed by tasks that are too big for you to tackle in isolation. 

God made us for each other. Please don't reject the gift. 

Jesus, I'm asking for courage and wisdom again as I seek out others to travel honestly with. 

Peace,
Keith 


*Interestingly, as we follow Jesus, he becomes a sort of body double for us in the world too, as we trust his presence with us to do the work we're called to do. That's not lost on me. Just don't let that idea isolate you from the direct calling to also be in deep relationship with others on the path!