From Me to You, the Sun to Us, Your Life

There comes a point where the Sun sets just low enough so you can look at it without it burning your eyes. And when you see it, when you can really look at it for everything it is, it's incredible. Everyone knows without the Sun we wouldn't be here. But when you think about it, you can appreciate it that much more. And that's exactly what I did. I hope I can show you the same. No matter how busy your life is or not, sometimes we forget to take a step back and remind ourselves of the bigger things, the things in life that make us whole, and of that, that connects everything on the planet and makes us all have that one thing in common. When you can step outside of your life for those few moments, and put yourself in that bigger picture, I think that becomes elevating. So next time you are watching the sunset, I want you to think about this.

The sun to us, as we see it, is a sphere providing light and heat. We know without it we can't be here, but when you think about it, you can be grateful for it. Starting at the big picture, going back millions of years ago to when our solar system was forming, the Sun was already here. Our own star, alone, but a part of something big. What we see is something that was here so far before we were here, and will be here long after we are gone. The same cycle of rotating, fusing, creating, burning, flaring, molding, gravitating, orbiting, traveling through this universe. As it has. As it will. Then the planets came. Everything came together, again. Over millions of years, it formed to create what we know it is today. The collisions, the compaction, the creations of every planet, every moon, every asteroid, and every comet. And still, the Sun changed no more. Still going on its journey. The Sun itself became a part of something bigger; it was no longer alone, and things were becoming less chaotic as more was created. But no matter what happened, no matter what obstacle came or how mad things became, the Sun just kept on going, until finally, planets had formed and were in their place, in their orbit around their very own star. The moons had formed and were now orbiting their very own planet. And then we came.

On one rock—out of all that existed—one was in the right place. One had the right material, everything was just right for us to come into existence. And as the first species came about, they rose and they fell. And so did the next, and so many more creations. They came about, and so many things were wiped out, never to be seen again. Yet our star did not change course. Eventually, humans started to walk the Earth. We developed and grew. We changed and we adapted. From then to now, we have shaped this planet. We have named it, we have taken from it, and we have given it back. The ground beneath your feet, connect with it. It is yours, as you belong to it. Do you feel it? For the next few seconds, just take a moment, close your eyes, and think about the Earth—our planet, our home. Think of all it has, all that is built upon it, all of the nature, the trees, the grass, the desert, the sand, the ocean and the seas—everything it gives, everything you have from it. Be a part of it all. Don't think of yourself as one, but as all of it. Think about that, don't let your mind take you elsewhere, to anything negative or any worries or stress, just for this one moment. Forget. Take deep breaths. Close your eyes. Think about the Earth.

As you see the sunset, as the light fades, as you feel it become cooler, and it reaches that point, remember what you share that with. That same light. As it goes through its journey, but brings us life. As it burns and rages, as we go calmly on. As you look around, everything you see is possible because of our star. That wandering angel traveling through the universe. As it batters the other planets and strips them of their hospitality, leaving only us untouched, unscathed by its torment. To us, it seems nothing more than a large ball of fire burning away, creating a life for us all. For every plant, for every tree, for every animal, insect, human, reptile—every living thing. It shares the same thing in common: The Sun, our star.

So when you have a minute or two, take a second to stop and think. Think of where you are today, and the journey you take. Just look at everything. The fact we are here really is incredible. The opportunities you have given to you today makes you unstoppable. Don't be afraid to reach the higher heights, don't be afraid to do what you want to do. Be unstoppable. So that even when things appear to be as dark as the night, you know the Sun will still rise again, and it will rise for you. The future is good, the future is yours, and the future is bright. So I hope you can take value from this, and take the seconds you need to feel as one with our world. So from me to you, our Sun to us. Your life.