Monday, March 25, 2013

Earthling Ponders

These days I've been obsessed with following Col. Chris Hadfield - Commander of the International Space Station - his tweets, pictures and Facebook postings of Planet Earth. What I wouldn't give to view my home planet from afar; but I think that ship has sailed...

I reflect on the ethereal images he posts and it becomes clear - that we are one; earthlings first; humankind. Then why the divisiveness? We can't see the forest for the trees; we are mired in the most basic of conflicts - greed, power - and forget that we are merely a pixel in a greater picture - part of something bigger.

Looking at the image of that dark blue sphere suspended in an inky sea, it seems incredulous that at any given moment,  upon that tiny sphere, wars are being fought; babies are being born; people are dying; victories are being celebrated; failures mourned; and heartaches and joys abound. All exists and occurs on that dark blue sphere.

If we could pull focus and take a long shot we would see that which is obvious to the man tweeting from the ISS... peace resides in the knowledge that we are part of the human family. When one hurts, we all hurt.

Thankyou Chris Hadfield for giving this earthling lots to ponder.

4 comments:

  1. Thank YOU for this very powerful/awesome post! It really is incredible what humanity can do when it puts its hearts and brains together. Imagine how the world will look like in just 10 years! And I wouldn't say that "ship has sailed" quite yet! ;^) You never know what the future holds.

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  2. I found your post using the "Next Blog" option in Blogger. It's a wonderful post, and goes right along with a Ted video I just saw by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. She is a brain research scientist who had a stroke and clinically diagnosed her stroke as she had it. She discovered insight into that part of us that can feel a connectedness with the universe. Here is the link if you would like to watch her talk. It's very moving!
    http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jill-bolte-taylor-s-stroke-of-insight

    Have a great day!

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    1. Thanks for the suggestion. I enjoy Ted talks and I will be sure to check it out.

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  3. Great post! Great perspective! Great insight!
    cuz

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