In Search of a Larger Perspective
Part of Something So Much Bigger
There is nothing like the vastness of space to shift my daily worries, pressures or struggles into a larger perspective. And there is nothing like a clear, dark sky saturated with stars to feel the vastness of space.
I’ve had most of my “dark sky” experiences while camping, miles away from the lights of civilization. Whether in northern Minnesota, the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming or Montana, or the Fort Davis mountains of West Texas, the result is always the same.
I am awed.
I mean drop-jawed, speechless and humbled awed. The sky looks as lush as black velvet with millions of diamonds scattered across it and though they are thousands (and more) of light years away, they look close enough to reach out and touch. In fact, everything looks so close that I feel part of it all.
I feel connected.
And something magical happens in that moment. In my connection to that vast and great beyond, everything else seems to melt away. Time seems irrelevant when you’re talking galactic measurements of millions of “light years.” Energy takes on a whole new meaning when viewing stars thousands of times more powerful than our Sun.
I see my life as part of something so much bigger.
Astronomers tell me that the sun will likely shine on the Earth for 5 billion years after I have left it. That doesn’t make my life seem insignificant. Quite to the contrary, it reminds me that my opportunity to contribute to the larger forces of the universe is somewhat finite, and I don’t want to squander that opportunity.
I believe our lives are significant, and purposeful, if we are willing to align with it. It is easy for me to get so caught up in my to-do list that I lose sight of that. Perhaps it is for you too. And when it does, it is good to know where to go to regain our perspective.
For me, a clear, dark night sky will do it every time. I plan to visit often.
To finding the “awe” in your life,