What if we approached everything in life by first remembering that we are living, conscious beings on a tiny spec in a vast universe? Would our outlook on life change?
Have you ever contemplated that when you feel hot outside, you're literally so close to a star that you feel its heat on your skin?
That's right - those very stars we romanticize and write songs about - we're that close to one of them that it makes our skin warm. Not to mention it gives life to so much of our planet.
And sure, we know this intellectually. We sometimes remember it, especially when we're in awe of a nice sunset. But do we live this way? Do we truly live from a place of wonder, and approach everything in life with this sense of awe?
Of course not.
We get up tight in traffic and yell at the person in front of us. We get self-conscious from a pimple. We regret things we did 40 years ago. You see, we certainly don't live like mysterious, fantastic creatures on a tiny planet in a vast universe.
Otherwise, don't you think we'd be a little more appreciative? Don't you think we'd stop before getting pissed off in traffic, and just remember we're on a planet spinning in the middle of nowhere?
This isn't to say that there should be no frustration, stress, or heartache. But is that your default mood? Do you stay there, in those states? Like many things in life, balance is key. But an 80% pissed off 20% feeling okay balance doesn't sound too good to me. In fact, I know it's not, because it's where I've spent most of my life.
It's time to switch that. You too. Start incorporating these wonders of reality into your day. Try to remember where you are in the cosmos.
Make it a habit to look up at the sky, to check in with the stars, to say hello to the moon. They can certainly put you in your place, if you give them the time of day.
If you're inside, close your eyes and remember what you're sitting on. No, not a chair, but organic matter that formed out of stardust from 13.8 billion years ago. Gases, molecules, particles, all these crazy energies coming together to make exactly what you have in front of you. Is that not full of awe? Remember that! When times are good, remember that. When times are bad, especially, remember that. Never forget where you are.
Live with substance!
Gabe Orlowitz
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