January 15 – “Symbiotic”. Many Thanks to Sally for today’s prompt, as we take a moment or two each day this month to reflect on words that come from the community. And thanks to Linda G Hill for getting us organized!

So, we have a graduate-level prompt for today, which means a bit more thinking about how we COULD respond to this word. And I’m all for that, especially because of the unravelling I see around me. And including me, sadly.

Symbiotic means mutually beneficial, and is most often spoke of in terms of biology, and more recently in terms of relationships (that quickly slide into cautionary essays on the dangers of codepency).

And yet how do we respect the diversity seen as natural in biology, but eschew co-dependence for an isolationist independence? We’re not ALL the same; we are differently gifted (and differently derpy). Is this a uniquely American value? Is it a generalized (the irony of this word in this context does not escape me), westernized patriarchal force?

I’m leaning towards a positive symbiosis, that it takes a village to survive, and that the Earth is one big village. One family. And you won’t change my mind about that, but I’m happy to listen to you, because I know life is and always has been hard. Balancing the hard with the blessings is a challenge for all of us. And respectful discourse helps us be both compassionate and effective, continually growing and staying relevant and aware.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2026) 

To read others’ responses or join in yourself, please visit: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/15/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-15th-2026/