In reflection, as you rise to the metaphorical top of your journey, you may find yourself wondering where everyone went. Not that the lone wolf mentality doesn’t have it’s pros and cons, and certainly the mission must be completed at any cost, right? Alone or in a group, the reality is: you only have yourself to truly depend on. Even as part of a team you are only as strong as the weakest link. In nature the weakest link usually doesn’t make it and could literally cause the downfall of the entire pack, weakness in the sense is rarely tolerated. As human beings we have this social aspect that cannot be understated, and at times our need to survive and/or thrive and surmount the circumstances that hinder us is greatly reduced by needing, in a sense, to feel part of the group or to help those less strong.  If your goal is to be the “top” of your game be it combat, academics, survival preparedness, etc. you must understand it will be lonely at the top. There is only enough space for one, single, individual at the top of the podium. If you cannot stomach the idea of being alone, if you cannot imagine doing everything by yourself, if you cannot complete the task without someone on your team you should take an introspective look and think about the weak links inside of yourself. Do not mistake this as you need to do it all by yourself but certainly if the need arose you would then have to do it all by yourself, and if you couldn’t fathom that, let alone perform under that reality, then certainly it would make sense that you would not have what it takes to reach the top. Now, have no illusions, the path to the top is paved with those you have established your base of success upon. Usually your mentors, teachers, as well as teammates, acquaintances, training buddies will vicariously rise to the top due to your success, but the reality is they are not the ones at the top. Through their sacrifice and your accumulation of experiences learned through them  the mission will be completed. It is the highest honor, the greatest accomplishment one could achieve, but it is singular task: the mastery of oneself is a road of solitude.