Connection

A Daily Om

The Truth of Interdependence: Connection

Picking a leaf off the ground and contemplating it is an object in and of itself very inspiring. Its shape and color, the way it feels in your hand, its delicate veins and the stem that once held it fast to the branch of a tree - all of these qualities reveal a leaf to be a miniature work of natural art. As we contemplate this small object more deeply and consider where it came from and what purpose it has served, we find that the leaf is one small but essential part of a system that harnesses the energy of the sun, plumbs the depths of the earth, and in the process brings into being the oxygen many living things rely on to live.

A leaf transforms the elements of its environment - sunlight, carbon dioxide, rain - into nourishment for its tree. This beautiful, nearly weightless, ephemeral piece of nature is a vital conduit to the branch that is a conduit to the trunk that is a conduit to the roots of the tree. The roots, in turn, draw nourishment from the earth to feed the trunk, the branches, and the leaves. The living beings that inhale the oxygen that comes from this process exhale the carbon dioxide that feeds the leaves through which the tree is fed. It is difficult to know where one cycle ends and another one begins.

One of the many gifts that nature offers us is clear demonstration of the interdependence between all living things. The person who exhales the carbon dioxide, the clouds that produce the rain, the sun that gives light, the leaf that transforms all these things into sustenance for a tree - not one of these could survive without being part of this cycle.

Each living being is dependent upon other living things for its survival. When we look at the world, we see that this is not a place where different beings survive independently of one another. Earth is home to a web of living things that are connected to each other through a spinning kaleidoscope of relationships. We need each other to survive and thrive.

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My thoughts: The first thought that came to my mind when reading this was to take care of my earth. I need to do more things that will keep this earth beautiful and thriving so that my children and their children will continue to have a beautiful place to live after I have gone.

Also a reminder for me that the people and things that come into my life, do so for a reason. The experiences I have in my life happen for a reason. My trials make me stronger, the joyful times remind me how blessed I am.

We are given the talents we have for a reason. Remember to use your talents! Share them with your family, your friends and your fellow man. Your purpose and mission in this life is an important one. Don't ever believe you are not important because you are... we are each a big part of this cycle of life.

What are your thoughts?