WEB OF LIFE
I read the following quote by Chief Seattle (think Seattle, Washington) recently on a humid cloudy summer day and it pierced my psyche. “This we know: All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man does not weave the web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” I add to that, “whatever he does to himself he does to the web.” After reading, I sat back in my chair for a moment and googled the Chief. You should do likewise.
My attention was arrested by the sentiment of the connectedness of all things - not just human to human. The other gripping words, “whatever man (the strand) does to the web, he does to himself” … good or bad. It shouldn’t take rocket science to understand this line of thought.
The strand that I am in the web of life, personally or corporately, is only as strong and vibrant or dysfunctional and diseased as I make it. All the joy, loss, grief, and grace that I have experienced becomes a part of the ingredients that either strengthens or weakens my strand.
If you know anything about the spider’s ability to weave the strands of their web, you know they are born with the ingredients to spin a web of silk. The sticky strands allow them to catch their prey with the minimal exertion of energy. However, the actual weaving of each strand is energy laden. Likewise, we are born with what we need to be the best possible strand in the web of life. Be not deceived, it takes an enormous amount of energy to discover what makes for a strong and sticky strand to add to the web.
We share that web with all that is around us. We can make a strand as strong as possible, thereby contributing to a more excellent web of life. Why wouldn’t one want to do that?
We innately know what to do, when to do and how to treat ourselves and all inhabitants of the universe. Everything and everyone matters. It is selfish to only think of one’s self.
Here are questions you might want to ask yourself: What feelings does litter in my neighborhood evoke? Do I litter? When the doctor says that I am predisposed to a disease, what actions do I take to stave off the diagnosis? Have you ever considered how a diagnosis of a preventable disease affects your web of life and the web of life of the medical system? Have you ever considered the strain that plastic water bottles put on the environment and how future generations will be affected?
Personal accountability for a proper diet, exercise, personal hygiene, and self-care -emotionally, spiritually, and emotionally is a great start for a strong strand. My self-care carries over to my treatment of everything and everyone else. Umm, “I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper,” whether the sibling chooses to be mine or not.
PONDER THIS THOUGHT --- Stephen Covey, “Accountability breeds response-ability.”
So. True!