The beauty of working together

Coyotes and magpies offer a beautiful lesson in cooperation. In some regions, these two very different animals have learned to help each other while hunting. During the summer, coyotes use their ground-level vantage point to spot movement, while in the winter, magpies soar above the snow, offering a clearer view of hidden prey. They follow each other’s cues, working in tandem, and both benefit from the alliance.

I witnessed a similar kind of quiet collaboration on my last trip to Death Valley—a three-day, two-night route-finding adventure. While down-climbing a dry waterfall, two of the more experienced hiker-climbers in the group instinctively stepped in to assist a less experienced woman. It was heartening to see not only the willingness to offer help, but also the openness to receive it. There's something powerful in that exchange—a reminder that the best way to move through life is by supporting one another.

These kinds of trips are designed to gently foster independence and empowerment. But part of that process is learning to trust—trusting yourself, trusting others, and embracing the help that comes your way. It’s about offering what you can, receiving what you need, and remembering that you are never truly alone.