April 30, 2023 | Issue #66

1 Quote. 1 Reflection. 1 Question.

1 Quote.

“There is not a fragment in all nature, for every relative fragment of one thing is a full harmonious unit in itself.”

 -From: John Muir

-Source: The Wilderness of John Muir 

1 Reflection.

John Muir, commonly referred to as "The Father of the National Parks" is one of the most famous naturalists and conservationists. He published 300 articles and 10 major books all concerning the nature of the United States.

 In 1901, Muir published Our National Parks, the book that caught the eye of  President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1903, Roosevelt visited Muir in Yosemite. Together, beneath the trees, they laid the foundation of Roosevelt's innovative and notable conservation programs.

By now, we have an understanding that our Earth and all its ecosystems are somehow connected. It is a complex web of interactions and relationships where oftentimes we don't know where they begin and where they end. 

We can examine our lives in the same way. Our physical health, mental health, friendships, romantic relationships, career goals, personal goals, hobbies, and family duties are all connected through a complex web. Some of the connections are easy to trace and some we have to carefully track back to the source. 

Nonetheless, we must pay attention and ensure these connections stay in harmony. 

We all know a manager at work who barely sees their kids. 

We all know a loving parent who is struggling to keep the weight off. 

We all know the straight-A college kid who struggles to converse with grown adults. 

We all know a friend who constantly surrounds themselves with people because they can't be alone with their own thoughts. 

When we neglect just one part of our web for too long, a piece of it breaks and the whole web becomes useless. 

And the unfortunate truth is, it takes a lot longer to build something back up than to tear it down. 

1 Question.

In your life, what connection is holding on by a thread, and what can you do this week to repair it?