Living Connected: A Lesson from an Aspen Grove

When we choose to intertwine our lives with others

we find emotional fulfillment and a heart to serve others.

 

On a cool, crisp day in early fall, golden aspen leaves quake in the autumn breeze. As they shimmer, in all their golden beauty, against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, I remember why I love living in Colorado.

 

Unlike other trees, aspens are connected. While each individual tree stands alone, an aspen grove is literally one organism because their root systems are intertwined.

 

Likewise, people need community and connection with others in order to thrive. We need bonds and relationships of all kinds—family, friends, community, or people we know from church, sports, or hobby groups.

 

When we choose to intertwine our lives with others we find emotional fulfillment and a heart to serve others. Even simple acts connect us, like bringing a meal to a friend with a broken arm, or calling your grandmother just because.

 

You are not alone. We’re all connected.

 

(Excerpted from "Powerful Prayers for Challenging Times" by Jackie M. Johnson, (c) 2012)