When I was a child we were taught about endangered whales, and the human activity that put them in peril. Even as a four-year-old, I was led to understand that how I participated in our society had effects beyond me, and that my choices were important to the interdependent web of existence.
-Michael Tino (CLF)
What is one choice you can make today to benefit other beings?
Having lived in various environments throughout my life – rural, city, college campus, small town, and now on the road – I have realized that I feel my fullest self when connected to an interdependent community, where I know my neighbors, I am a regular at local businesses, and the people I know show up for each other through community events or other types of organizing. For me that has felt the most tangible in a city environment, and I’m looking forward to rejoining my interdependent community in the capital city of NH when I’m done with my travels. -Marin Smith (CLF)
Where have you felt most connected to a community?
The towering sculptures of Janet Echelman are reminiscent of the Unitarian Universalist 7th principle recognizing that we are all connected in an interdependent web of existence. These massive webs of netting often span city blocks and weigh tons, but the slightest breeze can send ripples through the entire sculpture, just like the web of existence we comprise. When any one part of the net is disturbed, we all are affected. When a portion of the net frays, we are all in jeopardy.
How do we ensure the web of existence stays strong?
For as long as I can remember I’ve misspelled interdependence as “interdependance”. Recently I’ve reflected that “-dance” is actually a better way of looking at it since interdependence relies on all of us leading and following one another. Sometimes we know where we are going and need others to follow and other times we are blissful in the following. Either way, the communication required of the dance is what matters in the final outcome.
-Christina Rivera (CLF)
How can you clearly communicate with another in the “dance” of today?
Our seventh principle (respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part) has long been my favorite one. I have a vivid memory of learning about how ecosystems work in 9th grade biology class and having a light bulb moment of, “Oh! This is exactly what we talk about in church too, it’s just a core truth of how this world works!” That moment has always stuck with me as one of the first times I really appreciated and claimed this faith tradition for myself.
-Rose Gallogly (CLF)
Where do you experience your faith reflected in the world around you today?
