Flourishing Together

None of us can do this alone,

This living, this being in the world.

We know that we need one another,

Especially in such stormy times.

            ÷ Rev. Tess Baumgartner

The excerpt above comes from a chalice lighting that is delivered as an extended responsive reading on this month’s theme of “flourishing together.” This particular passage stands out to me, in part, because of the knee-jerk scoffing reaction I find myself experiencing when I think about flourishing in America. Even though I believe deeply in the idea that flourishing can only happen “together” and not alone, flourishing of any sort seems unattainable – especially in such stormy times. The concept of flourishing seems to be slipping further and further away, as if fading out of view altogether with the waves rising ever higher. The passage also strikes me as speaking to our human need for togetherness not so much for the sake of flourishing as simply surviving – none of us can do this alone, this living. 

What would it look like to flourish together and how can we get there? Philosophically, flourishing cannot be measured by achieving wealth or status. It is intrinsically linked to our seventh principle which challenges us to respect the interdependent web of all living things on earth. In other words, we need to account for the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecological relationships when determining whether and how we flourish. We must imagine a sustainable future in which our natural and human worlds operate synergistically, where success means we achieve environmental, social, political, economic and mental health for all. We could get there if our unit of measurement for success was not GDP but our seventh principle instead. 

With the summer solstice arriving soon, and the season of abundance heading into full swing, let’s spend this month focused a little less on the negativity and hate that crashes into us like choppy waters threatening to overturn our ship. Let’s focus a little more on a future where we truly believe that radical love and kindness for our blue boat and each other will bring this vision of flourishing together back within our sight and reach, close enough to grasp it.

In gratitude,

on behalf of the Board of Trustees