This is an image of our planet that was taken 34 years ago with an unmanned space craft at a distance of more than 3 billion miles away from the Sun.
This image depicts Earth. This image depicts home. This image depicts us.
Carl Sagan, an incredible astronomer and one of my role models, nicknamed Earth the ‘Pale Blue Dot’ after seeing this image. In one of his books, he wrote beautifully what this image meant to him. In doing so, his feelings were shared with the world, giving us a wonderful understanding of our position in the universe.
When feeling overwhelmed or anxious about the uncertainties of my life, I often look at this image. While doing so, I think of Sagan’s words. Over time, I’ve developed words of my own of what this image means to me.
When viewing this image, I feel insignificant yet purposeful.
I feel hopeless, yet brimming with optimism.
Scared, yet excited.
What I aim to accomplish feels like it won’t matter, but each step of the way holds value.
The irony that there is so much we’ve learned, yet so little we’ve discovered, feels conspicuous.
That regardless of how much thought is put into preserving and caring for our species. It can be wiped out in an instant— be it from an unknown variable or ourselves.
The fragility of human life and its endeavors is displayed when viewing this image.
It’s a cruel joke.
But I don’t feel small; I feel larger than life.
My curiosity of the world will never be quenched. And that gives me a reason to continue exploring.
Throughout history, we’ve learned of stories where humans have done the unimaginable, the beautiful, and the ugly.
How fervent our thoughts and beliefs can become; that a single idea can spur a shift in culture and tradition.
When seeing such an image, there is no point in playing small. For as short as our lives are, there is a sense of urgency and casualness clashing. Only when our perspectives are challenged does action take place.
This planet is where we were live and where we’ll continue living; we must cherish this thought.
Here’s my inspiration for the day.
Source: https://science.nasa.gov/resource/voyager-1s-pale-blue-dot/