A Strange, Alien, and Beautiful World

August: On Wonder and AweAugust 31We are a part of these wild and beautiful things contained on Earth. We are fortunate to have developed consciousness and to be able to recognize the life and wonder around us. We are privileged to breathe this air and cultivate this land and to work with the animals and each other to survive. And we have the privilege of looking up at the stars, those beautiful blinking things that, if you’re lucky, come out at night where you are and shake you to the core just upon opening your eyes, going outside, and looking up.How fortunate you are to be where you are, to be who you are, and to live with all of the creatures of Earth and to be able to gaze up with them at the forget-me-nots of the angels, sprawled across the infinite meadows of heaven.Reflection title: A Strange, Alien, and Beautiful WorldCreative inspiration: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie"Reflection question: When have I last counted myself fortunate to be alive and to look up at the stars? When did I last take a breath and just . . . look up at night or before the sun has risen?