The Oxford Dictionary defines Symbiosis as:
1) A relationship between two types of animal or plant in which each provides for the other the conditions necessary for its continued existence.
2) A relationship between people or organizations that depend on each other equally.
A Symbiotic relationship can sometimes be beneficial and then again it can also be harmful. To get into the technical side, the list of symbiotic relationships can vary between mutualism, commensalism and parasitism, though these grade into each other, and it is often difficult to tell which is involved in a given relationship. In mutualism, both organisms benefit.
How many of us have a symbiotic relationship, whether with your husband, lover or in the work place or even in the family units around us. The main question is whether it is beneficial to you or whether it is in the harmful, destructive side of life. We all need someone, depend on someone or something in our life’s journey.
As adults, can we function without being symbiotic? Are we a symbiotic nation? Is it natural to live off others, to the benefit of ourselves, or are we just being selfish and just thinking of ourselves when we feed off the other party for our own mutual benefit. Most symbiotic relationships work well together, one party feeding the other party’s needs in a mutual beneficial manner, living together in harmony.
An interesting, thought provoking topic…… Are we supposed to be a Symbiotic Nation? A people born into symbiosis, brought up in a symbiotic world. Can we survive totally on our own?
What are your views on this?