Realize that Everything Connects to Everything Else - Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else." It sounds like a monumental task, something reserved for Renaissance masters. but maybe it’s simpler than that.

The first part, "learn how to see," isn’t about developing a photographic memory or an artist’s eye overnight. It’s about paying attention. It’s noticing the way the early morning light filters through the leaves in the garden, or the specific shade of blue that emerges when you mix two colors on a palette. It’s a quiet practice, not a demanding one. You just do what you can, when you can; a moment of observation here, a flash of detail there.

That simple act of seeing is the gateway to the second part: understanding the connections. When you really see the soil, you understand how the compost you make directly nourishes the vegetables you eat. The discipline from a workout routine isn’t separate from the patience required for a new project; they draw from the same well of inner strength. My interests aren't a scattered collection of hobbies; they are threads weaving the same (admittedly weird) tapestry.

We don’t have to force these connections. We just have to trust that they exist. Our job is to keep our compass pointed towards a virtuous life, and always seek to learn and discover, to pay attention to the task at hand, and to have a little faith that the threads will find each other. We learn to see, and in time, the whole picture begins to emerge all on its own.

Trust in the process and enjoy the day!