From the evening of Sept 23.
I’m not near city lights, there will be no moon, and the sky is almost cloudless. I’m anticipating an evening of star gazing!
A beautiful sunset closes out the day.
I bundle up and lie back in my anti-gravity chair and watch the sky as “the faintest first starlight” appears. The “North Star” is the name by which I know the first star that twinkles at me. It’s straight up and comparatively bright. I don’t know any others by name. I have a chart somewhere in the closet, but I’m not out here to study, I’m out here to absorb some of this mysterious, magical universe that is a part of me, and I am a part of.
One by one, more and more stars reveal themselves as the sky darkens further. Soon the original light show is displayed before me….the beauty of the sky is just overwhelming and tears trickle down my cheeks.
As I stare up at it all I feel small…and smaller and smaller, like an amoeba…like a molecule…an atom…a proton even. I like the feeling. It reminds me of what I am and what I am not. It reminds me about perspective.
On this tiny blue dot, in this solar system, in this galaxy, in this universe, I am a teensy living creature , in the midst of other teensy living creatures, living our tiny lives that last for but a second, in the scope of time. And what is ‘time’ anyway?
What are we a part of ? This universe is so uncomprehendable. The mind can not begin to grasp the distance and time involved.
In the magnitude of all this, what is important, anyway?
What are the answers to the big questions of teensy humans?
I think….
Its simple. Or it should be.
Be kind. Love.
Do to others as you would want to be done to.
And who are these “others”?
My thought is that “others” are all living beings. We are all one.
And what of this mind boggling vast expanse? Are there other teensy creatures on other tiny blue or green or orange dots?
“You know there are 400 billion stars out there just in our galaxy alone. If only one out of a million of those had planets, and just one out of a million of those had life, and just one out of a million of those had intelligent life, there would be literally millions of civilizations out there.”
Ellie Arroway in “Contact”
“The universe is a pretty big place. If it’s just us, seems like an awful waste of space.”
Carl Sagan
Wandering Spirit 
I like your thought process. Indeed, if it is only us in this huge universe, what a waste of space.
Isn’t it amazing? 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone! I don’t even understand that number, so it was interesting how The quote I used helps one grasp…at least a little bit…the meaning of it.
I just LOVE that you quoted ‘Contact’, one of my favorite films.
Sitting under the stars is such an awe inspiring experience. How wonderful that you’ve located yourself in places where you can see them! The night sky is a great gift to give yourself.
That’s one of my favorite movies too Michael. I need to watch that again soon…
Beautiful, thanks for the reminder on a day that I needed it.
Hi Rick,
Glad you enjoyed the stars with me…. And thoughts about the stars. I hope all is well with you.
Hi Micky,
Love your writing. Puts me right out watching the the stars and contemplating the vastness of space and time with you! Just finished reading your previous post about the great place you found to camp in Nevada. You mentioned needing a dog ramp. I know you have already ordered one, but it happens I have a pretty good one that I no longer need. It is a “pet step.” (www.petstep.com) It’s yours if you want it.
Hi Mary. I emailed you and I know sometimes you don’t see that so I just wanted to let you know.
Thank you for the offer of the pet step. I may take you up on it. A big problem is where to put whatever it is that I end up using. It has to fit in a fairly convenient spot so I can get to it without too much trouble. And of course Joy needs to be able to use it.
I’m glad you enjoyed the stars with me!