about life and the universe.
I look at the stars. I look at my feet on this planet.
My life. What is it?
Every bit of my singular life stands refusing any label I try to give it.
Those moments where I’ve been . . . they aren’t all of my life, are they? How could my life be what it’s been without the people who went before me, who lived around me, who worked and played beside me in school and every day since then?
Would any business transaction be the same without the trees I climbed and rocks I sat on, without the beaches I walked, the shooting stars I watched falling on a silent night? Could I write the same proposal, if I never saw a rainbow or the color of the water in Sydney Harbor?
Who would I be if I never tasted rock candy, never saw the fireworks like a magical waterfall off the bridge?
What would shift if I didn’t have this slightly messy desk here before me?
Who would recognize me without the instinct, the memories, and the DNA that made me?
Every cell, every atom, every bit on the Internet connects. If I removed even one something would be gone.
With every breath, I change the atmosphere.
With every step, I change the ground we share.
I look at the stars and remember we are made of the same stuff.
Life is so woven into the universe.
How could I ever have felt alone?
An amazing sense of respect, hope, and wholeness can come when we see ourselves as part of the wonder of the universe.
Amen to that! And what a lovely perspective you shared. Thanks, Liz!
Hi Mike!
Thank you.
I’m so glad to see the “guys” let you go. 🙂
Well, they were still doing paperwork when their shift ended, so rather than stay late they ‘accidentally’ left the back door open and…
That’s our Mike,
One who can recognize a stellar opportunity. 🙂
Wow, Liz. What a beautiful way of reminding folks just how connected we all are. You’re spot-on.
This’ll keep me smiling all day. Thank you.
Hi Kusani!
It was amazing to think about the deep and infinity of the connections. 🙂
So cool to picture you smiling. 🙂
Came over from Goodword. Enjoyed this reflection. Now, to take it with me into the day…
Hi L.L.
Thank you and welcome.
It’s fine place Mark has over there. Any friend of his is welcome here. 🙂
Hey, Liz. I sent you a trackback, but you really must come over and listen to the song I posted from the Franciscan Sisters. You’d like it.
Hi Liz
You are so special. This one brought a tear to my eye. Thanks 🙂
Joanna
Hi Mark!
First, thank you for noticing this piece. I wondered about it . . . whether it was relevant. It’s nice to know that it had meaning for those here.
It was powerful writing for me.
I’m on my way over as soon as I finish my work. 🙂
Joanna!
Oh my! Thank you. You always hear what my heart is saying. I’m more grateful than you might ever know. 🙂
As a new blogger I still haven’t the trackback thing yet, and so I just copied here what I put on my blog just now:
…Liz Strauss wrote an elegant and powerful post today called Life and the Universe that inspired me…I took a deep breath, stood barefoot on the grass and took a moment to feel my feet connected to the earth. I took more moments and felt my connection everywhere…including my connection to the amazing post that inspired me and the talented soul who wrote it. Thank you Liz…
Hi Erica!
Thank you, your trackback made it here. 🙂
But even more I’m astounded and humbled that you were so moved by what I wrote. I deeply thank you for sharing every bit. 🙂
Hey Liz 🙂
Quote: I look at the stars and remember we are made of the same stuff.
I have always belived ever since I was a kid (if I ever was one) that the whole universe was unified … and that idea grew stronger once I learned about atoms and molecules and the DNA. The DNA configuration might differ, but it’s still the same material.
However, I can’t help but think there IS something that is unique (which can make you feel NOT a part of anything)–and that would be the intellect? Your feelings, your values, thinking patterns make you so special that you’re so alone.
Perhaps that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
Hi Zakman,
I feel like it’s a puzzle where each piece individual, but they all fit together to make something grander.
We all bring our own story and our own beauty to the wonder that is “we.”
“With every breath, I change the atmosphere.”
“With every step, I change the ground we share.”
I couldn’t help but think how even more than our physical presence changes things, our mind, our heart, our spirit change what is and what can be — and especially our faith changes things. For me, faith is what creates things that otherwise would have never been. It is what lifts others up. It is what makes life real.
We are more then the sum of our parts or the sum of our effects in this grand universe. We are part of what breathes life and hope into it — because we have had life and hope breathed into us.
Hi Dean!
Welcome!
Our thoughts, our faith, our intentions, and our aspirations — all that we dream and hope move us in some direction. I agree they lift our eyes to see what allows us to lift others above us.
And then, the universe lives in and through us. 🙂