It’s taken me this long to finally notice the obvious.

Many writings have passed through my hands over the years. I’ve experienced numerous adventures, videos, films and other viewing pleasures that have tried to make me see, feel, and understand the same message.

It’s kind of weird that we miss the obvious connecting element during our journeys. What is that connecting element? The essence of teamwork.

Let’s discuss nature and teamwork.

I’m sure many of us have planted an item in Mother Earth or in a pot. OK, that’s done, now what? Well, the sun and water along with the earth’s soil or potting soil feeds the plant through its roots, and via the process of photosynthesis, the plant grows. That teamwork begins with nature forming the necessary growing material through decomposition of whatever elements it possesses.

Let’s say you buy a bag of flower seeds. You prepare the soil, plant the seeds, water the plant and the sun gives it light to flourish. If you take one step out of that sequence of teamwork, there is no live plant. That process is you and nature teaming together to produce a result.

I am a member of a local library committee. For the past months, we have been working hard to refresh and update the collection of books. A couple of very fine fellows made us new bookshelves. Many of us have culled old and outdated items, and many folks have supported the library fundraisers so new items can be purchased.

After our last committee meeting, the decision was reached to completely rearrange the book collection utilizing the new shelves. Three members of the committee teamed together to accomplish that task. It wasn’t easy, however, the new library arrangement is awesome. Well done, team!

I’m sipping coffee (Yes, coffee!) right now so how about we honor the teamwork of the coffee bean grower, the bean roaster and the coffee shop employees who put that coffee in my cup? And there’s more…

All of the liquids like beer, spirits and wine that we enjoy are a result of immense physical and mental labor and expertise. Your favorite beer wouldn’t exist without the common efforts of numerous grain and hop growers. The brewmaster’s knowledge brings it all together in that tasty beer you enjoy. Again, teamwork.

Distillers go through many stages of making a spirit before a final product is placed in your favorite cocktail. Very soon, there will be a new book hitting the streets entitled “The Whiskey Bible.” If you wish to explore the teamwork found in whiskey making, get this book.

That brings me to wine, and I’ll make this short. Similar to all of life, the making of wine is a common effort between humans and nature. Without one, there wouldn’t be the finished product, and that would mean no wine. Heaven forbid!!

Naturally, sports are another arena that exemplifies teamwork. There’s teamwork in education, the practice of medicine, social work, public service, raising a family – that list could go on for a long time but I think we get the message.

In order to survive, we need each other. Teamwork is everywhere.

May you be constantly surrounded by folks who are on your team.

As always, eat and drink in moderation, but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!