I love it when I find a book that challenges my thinking and opens my eyes.

I love it double when I then get to hear others’ thoughts on that book and reflect even further.

That happened to me recently with Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown. This book shaped and shook 2020 for me - and the ripples on the water are still coming. 

Here’s the passage my friend was so compelled by:

I look to the anatomy of trees as one of nature’s examples of successful organizing that realizes that our power is in our ability to both be fiercely centered and grounded but also infinitely reaching towards our unique sources of energy, light, and growth. Each tree’s elements are reliant on one another but totally unique in form and function. There is no competition or pressure to be the root or the trunk or the buds that bloom. Each tree is a universe, a master delegator, a puzzle and a puzzle piece. They have encouraged me to not worry so much about making everyone ‘feel important’ and to focus on creating systems and support efforts where everyone is important and clear on how their work is unique, crucial, and totally interconnected.

-Morgan Mann Willis

This reflection on trees deconstructs our need to have gotten here on our own, to be independent, in service of others but not of ourselves. It made me want to be like a tree and name and celebrate the ways I am a universe, a master delegator, a puzzle and a puzzle piece… and so I created that space for myself. 

I share this with you in hopes that you also take a moment to remember our shared elements, reliant on each other and totally unique in form and function.

I share this in celebration of our roots, trunks and buds that bloom.