When visiting the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyama Island within the great treasure hall that the class explored together I found the artifact that is the “Venus Flower Basket”: A deep sea sponge, tubular and basket-like shape. Inside lie two small creatures resembling shrimp, closely related to lobsters and crabs. The organisms are one male and one female, they spend their entire lives living in the sponge entering it as larva, the shrimp will feed off debris that enters the sponge allowing it to remain alive, the sponge provides them with shelter. This is a symbiotic relationship, both parties give and take mutually. This is a perfect example of Reciprocity, a word that has recently resonated with me heavily during this trip, reminding me to hold all of my relationships up to a standard that ensures I am getting just as much as I am giving.
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