How Long Has It Been Since You Looked Up At The Sky?
Look to the stars for the answers to where you are going, but also where you have been
When I saw this photo, I wondered how long it had been since I looked up at the night sky — I can’t remember the last time I did. Can you think of the last time you looked up at the shining stars?
I often see people looking down at their cell phones; the handheld computer with a force that pulls attention tight like a magnet. Our lives are becoming dependent on them. They make it possible to do almost anything — shopping, banking, trading, booking, catching up with friends, writing, reading. The list is endless.
Cell phones can do things we could have only dreamed of in the past. For example, whenever I open the Medium App, countless articles jump out at me. Writers are sharing their secrets on how to capture the eyes of readers to gain wealth and fame, which delivers a tremendous message:
“Come and do what I told you! You can achieve the same success!”
Indeed, the internet serves us great temptation with all kinds of promises. Becoming famous and wealthy is no longer limited to select people. It provides opportunities for anyone willing to work hard, right at your fingertips.
Purpose
By chasing success, we constantly are looking down the road, trying to hurry up with our goals. We don’t take the time to look up at the sky anymore. But something deep in our hearts burns for the truth about our existence. This is natural human curiosity. In addition to wealth and fame, we are also curious about who we are and where we come from.
What is our purpose?
On a moonless night, the milky way is clearly visible. The stars shine so brightly that they can light up a road like a lamp post. Does this way lead to an answer?
If an alien were to ask you where you are from, and you told them that you come from Earth, they might be confused because Earth is just a small part of something much bigger. They may ask you to explain —
“What is Earth? Where is it?”
But if you said you live in the milky way galaxy, they might know what you mean. But even this galaxy is just a grain of sand in the universe. Looking up at the night sky, you can question how infinite and mysterious the universe is. How much do we not know?
In the movie The Lion King, Mufasa explains to his son, Simba “…let me tell you something my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars…. just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I.” (1994, Disney). Maybe Mufasa was right. Maybe the universe is the habitat of our ancestors, where we came from, and where we will go back.
Remember to look up
Looking up at the night sky will be a different experience for each of us. Our individual minds have their own unique imagination, which allows us to see things differently from one person to the next. Our questions, our vision, and our assumptions of life will all be our own.
Looking down the road at your dreams could become clearer if you look beyond what is in front of you and instead look into the deep night sky.
Having a vast amount of information thrown at you from the palm of your hands can become overwhelming. But if you take the time to look up at the sky, even beyond the stars, it allows you time to look within.
What are your real desires? Who are you as a person? Who do you want to be? What is your purpose? Maybe you will find the answers right from your balcony out there deep into space.
“Remember to look up at the sky! Don’t look down at your feet! Keep being curious, you will always find your way and your success.”
—Stephen William Hawking
Don’t forget to spend some time on your balcony at night when curiosity knocks on the door! It can be life-changing.
Many thanks to @Justine Bushmeyer for her professional support.
I sincerely appreciate your stopping by. Feel free to check my other inspiration story.
