Leaves reach upward, branches split as they rise into the air. There’s a striking gap between the two main branches, an absence of tree and canopy. Through that gap runs a power line, the industrial shaking its way through the biological, ecological. It’s nearly half a tree, restricted. And yet, it is still full in its own way, defiantly standing tall despite being cut again and again.

Some days, I feel like so many of us are that tree. Cut through for the sake of progress, of capitalism, of others’ needs. Having metaphorical branches cut away from us, making it harder to be healthy and whole. Letting go of parts of ourselves and working ourselves to exhaustion because the only other choice is to be cut down altogether.

American society in particular cuts through cis moms, non-binary parents, and trans parents. That goes double or triple if the parent is not white and/or if they are disabled.

It boxes us into restricted templates. It tells us our exhaustion, our burnout, our all-encompassing sacrifice is important, even necessary. It says that the abuse of people in our country and overseas must happen – that there is no other choice than to underpay and undervalue them if we want our food and clothing.

But who is all of this necessary for? Not for us. Not for our children.

It’s only necessary for making money and supporting consumption and feeding ever hungry corporations. For reinforcing white supremacy and the patriarchy.

Of course food and clothing are necessary. Just as the electricity carried by the wires that bisect the tree in my neighborhood is necessary. But it can be done differently.

What if we structured our society to meet everyone’s needs? To wind around trees and people alike rather than plowing through them. To find compromises and mutual benefits and true sustainability.

We could all do more than survive, but thrive. We could truly live with each other in cooperation and collaboration.

This type of work isn’t simple and there are no easy solutions. It requires rethinking the assumptions that our society is built on, like only paid work really “counts” and that some people have to be sacrificed for society to function. It means we must give up the idea that the people who are rich are that way because they’ve earned it and those who are poor somehow deserve it. It means that we have to actually, for real, respect everyone in practical, concrete ways – including children. It means that we have to both rely on others and have others rely on us, which requires vulnerability and responsibility alike.

But how else are we going to build a better future? How else are we going to make it so our society can and will be more sustainable and just for everyone?

If we stop running our metaphorical power lines through the very heart of living, breathing beings – maybe, just maybe, we can allow us all to grow the way we’re supposed to.