Sunday Inspiration: “Our lives are linked together…”
Humanity is like an enormous spider web, so that if you touch it anywhere, you set the whole thing trembling… As we move around this world and as we act with kindness, perhaps, or with indifference, or with hostility, toward the people we meet, we too are setting the great spider web a-tremble.
The life that I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place and time my touch will be felt. Our lives are linked together. No one is an island. -Frederick Buechner
This image of the world as a vast spider web — without the spider, thank you — connecting all people is inspiring for me. I imagine myself linked to everyone around me whom I love, my family and friends, and beyond that to those I will never know from different cultures and countries.
We are one human family tied together by our struggle for a better life and the promise of hope. Is this image of the web inspiring for you?
What a truly awesome thought. I am going to place this front and center on my inspiration board! What a great way to help center me and help me to remember that all I say or do will affect others in some way!
Although I’m not crazy about actual spider webs, I do see the image of connectivity between all people. It’s like that “Six Degrees of Separation” idea. Without too much effort we can find links to almost anyone. I prefer to think that we are all children of God which makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.
I have heard vague references to this quote before. Thank you for sharing the whole thing and the author of it. I like it better than what I often say “we’re all in this cesspool together so I think we should help each other stay afloat.” Can you tell I am in sitework construction? Yes, I definitely think I will find a way to use the spider web quote – much nicer visual. I wish there was a way to get everyone to see the whole picture. Sigh.
Definitely a better visual. Definitely!
Have you ever read “The Five People You’ll Meet In Heaven” by Mitch Albom? Excellent book that really changed the way I look at my faith and view the world as well as my place in it. It is based on the spider web theory. All our actions having consequences even when we dont realize it. It is a ripple effect…
It just seems so clear to me how related we are and why we need to treat each other with love and concern. Not that it’s always easy, right? Albom’s book is on my TBR list.
Lovely photo and words so true. As a quilter, I have enjoyed your quilt named books the most and am looking forward to the new release. I shall have to add it to my Christmas Wish List. Hmmmm … Spider’s Web is a quilt pattern … sounds like a good title for a book … 🙂 Pat
Now, wouldn’t that be a great Shenandoah Album novel title? Yikes, another thing to think about!
I love this blog. I love the vision and the reality of how we are all connected. Thank you… for the reminder
Human connection is my air, without it I think I would die. My favorite thing at church, which occurs on the first Sunday of each month after communion is that the entire church gathers around the perimeter of the sanctuary, holds hands and gently sings, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessing Flow”…I like to look at the faces of these people, who are my people and feel the energy coming from this human connection. It’s just beautiful!
Sherry, thank you for that lovely image.
Emilie, it is always a pleasure to see what you have been up to! Glossi magazine? I’ll have to check the stories (and I am glad the husband is a keeper!)
As a (ret) AFES for ARC, I immediately zoomed on your post as we also use the imagery to describe our work for the military!
All the best to you and yours (and thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway!)
Love the picture and agree. I sometimes forget it in daily life just trying to get done the things I need to. Thanks for reminding me.
Emilie,
Being a quilter, I love your books; especially the Shenandoah Valley series. I would love to win a set of them. Thanks so much for giving us this opportunity.
It is; what a great picture and thought!
It is amazing when we look around us and realize how much our lives touch others. Sometimes we feel like we’re all alone but if we only stop and see how much even a smile encourages a friend or even a stranger, then we can feel the connection.
Love the picture and the theory, after all we were all created by God. I feel the connection through your books. God’s blessings on your day.
People need each other to get along, It’s great to have good friends.