The Known Universe

As we move away from Christmas and head into a New Year, I feel it's only appropriate that we contemplate a few things.

Some people are busy making New Year's resolutions. I have given up doing that. Resolutions and goals I make for myself tend to feel like an axe at my neck. I don't like placing that kind of pressure on myself. I am more spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous. I get plenty done without having to stick myself with pins. In fact, I probably get more done when I'm goalless than when I have them.

Some people are definitely hoping/praying for a better year than this one just ending. It's been tough all the way around. Except of course for certain bankers, executives, CEOs, politicos, and celebs of various kinds. For some reason we still like to give them our hard earned money.

Some people are in need of food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.

Some people are dying for what they believe. I thought the Inquisition was over.

Some people are dying to give the above people the right to believe what they want.

Some people are dying to live and others are living to die.

Some people are polluting their home, their town, their city, their country, our planet. I have little doubt the Earth will survive global warming and all the pollution we are dumping into her rivers, lakes, oceans and atmosphere. She has survived worse, like being hit by comets and asteroids. She has this wonderful ability to be patient and heal herself, and in the process evolve new species to take the place of those that were killed off. Whether we humans will survive is another matter entirely.

Of course in the end, even Earth, our tiny island home, will be swallowed by Sol as he goes into his death throes. Our beautiful Milky Way galaxy will collide with Andromeda.

Our universe is alive and dynamic. It had a beginning, it too will have its end.

Thus, I try to keep in mind we are temporary, that nothing lasts forever, and to contemplate my sense of place in The Known Universe. What about you?