The solar eclipse created more than just the display in the sky.

Too Bad We Can’t Have Solar Eclipses More Often Because It Changed More Than the Daylight

SherryBlue
Aug 22, 2017 · 4 min read

Monday was a once in a lifetime moment for many people across the United States. A solar eclipse started on one side of the west coast of America and traveled across a path until it slipped off of the Atlantic Coast and disappeared. It traveled an almost 100 mile path wide that was called the “Path of Totality.” Those that lived within the path of totality experienced a few minutes that mimicked night time. The day became dark, birds returned to their nests, night bugs and frogs sang to the moon, and the temperature was noticeably cooler.

A total solar eclipse will not appear through the same exact area again for over 300 years. It was a truly historic moment.

Even those outside of the path of totality experienced a change in how the daylight looked and shadows seemed sharper and different.

The big change was not the daylight, or the temperature, or the fact that lightning bugs and stars came out to be seen in the middle of the day in our great country. The biggest change was that we saw people coming together in massive crowds to share in something spectacular. There was a unity and a sense of community all across the nation with no conflict or tragedy insight.

It was easy to stay glued to the live streaming that occurred by NASA or news organizations as you would get glimpses of the moon covering the sun fully in particular places and then the coverage would move on to a new place. It was fabulous to see the sun’s corona appear around the moon and the burst of light that would mimic a diamond ring as it peeked back out from the moon’s shape. Yet, what also kept you watching the same event happen in one town and then another from Oregon to South Carolina was watching the crowds.

People had traveled from distant areas to the path of totality and not just from the United States. There were people from other countries that had traveled to see this event. People in some parts of the country had pitched tents, camped, or checked into hotels and Airbnb host homes beginning over the weekend. Farmers opened up their fields to host strangers and National Parks spilled over with visitors.

Crowds were everywhere and they weren’t yelling at each other. They weren’t hurling things or hurtful words at one another. Hate was absent.

There were smiles, laughter, and cheers for the spectacle of nature. Strangers were greeting one another and creating moments. Massive selfies were taken and spontaneous cheers erupted from the crowds followed by high fives and hugs as people shared in the moment that only took a few minutes to occur.

As people were interviewed at how they felt about the event after it was witnessed they always noted that it was amazing, it changed their perception of how small we each are in this massive universe, they noted how special nature is and how they hope to experience more outdoor events and create more life experiences. Then they would talk about the community that had developed among the people that had gathered in that area. They talked about the joy, the laughter, the sharing, the strangers that had become friends, and how it had changed them for the better. A lot of the times that part of their testimony was obviously emotional.

We need more solar eclipse moments. I don’t know what the next moment like this will be, but we need to all find one for ourselves within our community. Where there are no sides, there are no agendas, and there is nothing but appreciation and curiosity and a sense of community flowing throughout the areas in which we gather.

I loved the eclipse for how it drowned out negative press for days before it happened. I loved the eclipse for how it reminded the world we have an amazing planet and universe and nature is full of wonder. I loved the eclipse for the display it gave us. I loved the eclipse for how it drowned out hate and fear and replaced it with unity.

We need to find those eclipse moments or create them. We need to make it happen, because the next solar eclipse in the United States won’t be until 2024, and we need something much sooner than that to unite us all again in wonder, joy, and amazement. We need something to dilute the lines that divide us and bring us together.

Thank you for reading — it means a lot to me. I appreciate your sharing as well. Please follow me on Medium, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn — I’d love to connect and be a part of your network team. On social media I share my own articles, but also those that I find helpful and relevant to business, success, entrepreneurship, leadership, community enhancement, and personal development. You can find out more about me at SherryHBlue.com.

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