. . . every breath you take has, at one time or another, been associated with another living organism.
Dr. Martin St. Maurice, assistant professor of biological sciences, Marquette University
The war of Russian aggression continues in Ukraine. The Israeli attacks on Gaza, and the threats of Hamas against Israel have not reached an end. Political turmoil, threats, fears and uncertainty hover over our own country like a brewing storm that won’t go away. There are so many examples of human discord that we can easily point to. Are we really woven into a life of interdependence? If we are, why so much hostility? Why so much ignorance of one another? Why so much distrust of the very ones with whom we share and on whom we rely for continued life?
I wish I had answers, but there are too many questions.
For now, breathing gives me a focus. Every. Breath. We share every breath we take with some other living organism. The molecules that make up our breathing have been shared in the past and in the present with other living organism, and they will continue to be shared in the future.
So, at this molecular level, I know that we are inextricably linked. We share the most basic requirements for life, and without this sharing, none of us would be alive, neither we who are human nor any other being of any kind. The old slogan “sharing is caring” not only invites a profound truth for us to consider, but it is a significant understatement. We cannot even take the next breath without reliance on other beings.
As we bring our month of reflection on the gift of interdependence together, we, sadly, do not bring to an end all the strife of our planet and our lives. There is still so much to do, so many ways forward for us to find that will bring an end to wars and resolve to human fear and distrust.
Breathing may be our starting place as we face our challenges. With it we can draw strength from the other beings with whom we have shared. This. Breath. Always, a shared breath.
~Bob Patrick
