Inter-being

From the Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, the Sixth Earth Song (Six of Pentacles); from the Raven Cards, Grasp It:

The puzzle pieces of the Songs card reminded me to two quotes by men I consider very wise:

 If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without rain, the trees cannot grow: and without trees, we cannot make paper. The cloud is essential for the paper to exist. If the cloud is not here, the sheet of paper cannot be here either. So we can say that the cloud and the paper inter-are. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe. ~ John Muir 

At first glance, the Raven seems to miss the point - that all of life is connected - by giving the advice that I snatch or grab something because it belongs to me. But consider if someone is trying to share something with me, and I am too proud or ashamed to take what I need. If I am a part of this web, then I should feel worthy to accept what is freely given. However what I grab might be a hand reaching out for help. As a part of creation, I should also do my part in helping sustain the earth and its inhabitants.