ROOTS & SHOOTS

roots and shoots abound

feeling into air and earth

perfectly balanced

for every shoot that we see above the ground, there are invisible (to our eye upon the earth) roots beneath the earth supporting it...what are the unseen forces, energies, people, and spirits in our life supporting us? could we also be the supporting root structure that allows others to grow and flourish? we are both above the ground and below...supported by others and supporting...we are roots and shoots.

in what ways can you develop your root capacities? consider the idea of geographic STABILITY, staying in the same place/home for decades...consider this sense of rootedness in place, providing a chance for things to be supported and grow...

too often in our industrialized western U.S. culture, we value changing the geographic location of our residence/home (for many different reasons...military orders, job/career moves--better pay, position...the grass appears greener elsewhere...).

what would it be like if we adopted, as the Benedictines have with their value of stability, a long term commitment to a PLACE, to a home, a center, a people, a way of life...how might this provide roots for us, our children, our community...unto the 7th generation to grow and flourish.