Beyond the stars…

With both math and physics pointing to the likely conclusion that intelligent life-forms inhabit planets elsewhere in our universe, I tend to sit back and agree, with confidence. Do I honestly feel that any of us will be able to communicate, even interact with such beings in our lifetime? Hell no, let’s get real here, people.

I feel that we’d all like to know what is out there given so many instances where we’ve stood gazing up at the night sky, wondering if maybe other beings were looking down on us, thinking the same. How many of us, whenever we looked up at a moonless night sky wondered how maybe one day, we might count the stars? The Milky Way galaxy alone has 400 billion stars, and there are 2 trillion galaxies beyond it; if only one in a hundred billion stars can support advanced life, then there are likely just four candidates in the Milky Way.

The skies above us are much vaster than we ever imagined, think about it; our universe is home to a hundred billion trillion stars, most with planets revolving around them and, at some point, the odds of discovering extraterrestrial life, simple life, composed of individual cells or small multicellular organisms is just about everywhere in our universe.

The more expert we become in observing and calculating the outer reaches of the cosmos, and the more we understand about how many galaxies, stars and exoplanets exist, the greater the possibility of there being intelligent life on one of those planets; in all of this, there may be only one or two planets in our two trillion galaxies which might add up to a lot of possible, intelligent, neighbors.

Do we really want to know if we’re not alone in the universe? Scientists have been listening for some element of celestial conversation for years and while there is a high statistical likelihood of intelligent life having evolved elsewhere in our universe, there is a very low probability that we will be able to communicate or interact with any of them. We should all take comfort from the knowledge that there are so many powerful forces in the universe, far more abstract than alien intelligence, simple things like love, faith and friendship, all impossible to measure or calculate, but they remain our foundation, our sense of purpose.

At this stage of my life, I hold out some hope that, eventually, humans will make contact with extraterrestrial intelligence, in whatever far-flung system they may live. Until then, there will be generations of young star gazers in our world, standing watch, looking skyward, with amazement and wonder, believing that there is so much more out there, beyond the stars.

From the Writer’s Workshop: Write a post in exactly 13 sentences./If evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe were discovered, would it alter your core beliefs or sense of self?

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A virtuous act…

The word “patience” has an almost gentle sound when spoken. In itself, it represents an act of kindness although such actions are not always easy with certain individuals.

Patience should be our virtue, especially when dealing with each other and, of course, certain situations; we often do not know just what others may be going through. Putting ourselves in their shoes can help us imagine what they might be experiencing. Taking such a step may help us develop more of a tolerance for a particular incident and those involved.

Reframing our perceived annoyances helps with dealing with the struggles someone may be experiencing. Just one momentary act of understanding can go a very long way when we pause and show a bit of grace to someone in emotional need. Most of all, it takes such little effort.

We have to keep remembering that patience is not just about waiting for something without frustration. Rather than seeing someone’s actions as an inconvenience, view that as a reflection of their struggles.

Patience is reminding ourselves to breathe. Patience is remembering that we are all human and should always respond with kindness and understanding. Patience is remembering that we are all in this together.

Just a little patience can help to make everyone’s journey a great deal smoother.

From the Writer’s Workshop: Write a post based on the word patience. Write a post in exactly 14 sentences.

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Where did the “merry” go?

Once again, Christmas is over more quickly than it began. It wasn’t as enjoyable as previous ones, continuing a sad trend in holiday celebrations as family and other dynamics come into play.

I keep wondering if the seasonal retail push which starts around late summer tends to take the celebratory edge off this holiday. We all joke about how the shops start pushing Christmas paraphernalia along with Halloween and that started with back-to-school items around July 4th. Each year, the merchandising mayhem starts earlier and earlier. Sometimes I question why we have calendars marking holidays each year given the retail markets move with a totally different game plan.

For me, the magic has disappeared. Maybe it’s just getting older along with dealing with familial divides that have resulted in empty chairs around the dining room table. A large part is the absence of happy little feet and active imaginations bounding through the door and heading straight for our gigantic tree. Even that tree, once festooned with precious ornaments, along with decorations tucked everywhere else in the house, has taken a huge minimalist step back. Piles of gifts that overwhelmed the living room are no more, they’ve been replaced by gift cards or checks tucked into a letter or holiday card.

I’m a realist, aware that many of us can never again enjoy those wondrous feelings and beliefs. After a certain age Christmas stops feeling as it used to because our brain develops and stop functioning as it did when we were young children. Christmas is so magical and fills our hearts with warmth and comfort because as children that’s how we stored it in our memories. But as we grow older we start producing more cognitive thoughts. Children are so happy because they don’t process things the same way. Everything is surface level, what you see is what you get. We get older and even though holidays like Christmas come around, life still goes on. We have the same problems, the same pain, etc. We didn’t have those problems at Christmas as children. Christmas was just Christmas: a time for gifts and great food and beautiful surroundings. We had no worries or stress. We don’t have that luxury as adults. It’s sad, but it’s just true.

Yes, Christmas is over and there are few good memories to look back upon. I keep thinking about why this has turned into just another day; where did the merry go?

From the Writer’s Workshop: How was your Christmas? Was it as good as previous ones? Tell us!

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