7: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

I have not posted since before the holidays.  It was a busy time.  Something happened recently that has me wanting to write this post, and especially on this principle.  My friend, fellow congregant, and fellow board member Jill Hansen died unexpectedly.

The death was sudden, and shocking.  I think my community will be reeling from it for a while.  I know that over a week later, after helping to coordinate memorial services at our church, I am only just now starting to process the feelings.  Jill was an amazing woman, who touched many lives.

What often comes out for me during times of transition like this is how many lives we touch.  Anyone who would doubt our inter-connectivity could maybe spend a bit more time remembering their friends who have gone, and listening to others remember them.  Each time I have attended a memorial service, dozens have spoken about how the deceased changed their lives.

That’s what we do together; change each others lives.  Sometimes we save each others lives.  Sometimes we hurt one-another.  But we all have a deep impact on those around us.  We are all connected.  In Jill’s case she brought beautiful choir music to our church, readily stepped up into leadership roles with calm grace, raised a loving daughter who spreads smiles all over the place, gave traffic news to the entire nation, and listened so well that years later people remember how heard they felt talking to her.

It is just amazing to think of the billions of people out there, and then to zoom in on 1 person, and to listen to how much they influenced the world around them.

And that’s just us humans.  I just do not think whether we believe in God or not is the point; I think the point is how we treat each other, how we respect each other, how we uplift each other.

I think this final principle is about being aware of that impact, and wielding it with responsibility.

“With great power comes great responsibility.”  Right?

Well, every memorial I have ever visited suggests that every single one of us wields great power.  Every one.

Wield it wisely.  Jill did.  Thank you Jill.