It’s been a rough year. Maybe it’s the media bombarding us with political enmity, flood, fire, war, death, illness . . . but it does seem rougher than usual. My resiliency is running low.
To put things in perspective on this last day of the year I remind myself that this earth has been around billions of years and I am standing on a planet hurtling through space and haven’t fallen off . . . yet
NASA archive image, release date October 17, 2000.
This true-color image shows North and South America as they would appear from space 35,000 km (22,000 miles) above the Earth. Image created by Reto Stöckli, Nazmi El Saleous, and Marit Jentoft-Nilsen, NASA GSFC
Credit: NASA Earth Observatory
The earth is moving about our sun at a speed of nearly 30 kilometers per second, or 67,000 miles per hour. Our solar system–Earth and all–whirls around the center of our galaxy at some 220 kilometers per second, or 490,000 miles per hour.
“There are anywhere between 200-400 billion stars in the Milky Way and an estimated 100 billion planets. Around one in five stars are like our sun, and astronomers have estimated that about 22% of them have planets the size of Earth in their habitable zone, where water can exist as a liquid. This means there could be 8.8 billion planets within the galaxy capable of supporting life (not accounting for composition of the planet or its atmosphere).”
“God has created the world as one—the boundaries are marked out by man.”
‘Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith
Finally taking a day where I am allowing myself time to relax and focus on things other than all the events that bring so much stress and anxiety to my soul. My New Years resolution (more aptly phrased; “gift to me”) is to take the nail out of my left shoe and walk slow and straight as I relax, let go and let God. I have been following you these last few months, but so overwhelmed with the have to voices in my head I simply had gone numb to doing anything life affirming. I love your insights and have appreciated each one even if I didn’t have the where with all to respond. I think this next year will be like no other that we have seen in most of our life times. Keeping centered and focused on taking care of ourselves physically and mentally will be the way we will be able to ride the waves of change.
I love you and miss you. You are always in my thoughts.
Hugs and Kisses, Judy
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Judith C.,
I agree this year will be like no other! Love you and miss you too. You are included in my daily Baha’i prayer!
No kisses or hug as I’m contagious
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Einstein had a lot to say about this topic, but most of it, I didn’t understand. Here’s to more brain power in 2017!
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Jacqui,
My father loved Einstein and read his autobiography (not sure that’s what it is). At any rate I still have the book he read and have been meaning for a decade to read it. Happy Brains to you!
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Happy New Year, JJ!
May the waves of 2017 arrive with gentle grace and ease.
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Becca,
Thanks for the lovely wishes but my 2017 arrived with a sore throat and post nasal drip . . .
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😦
Then you are getting your year’s worth out of the way early. 😉
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Becca,
Thanks, now I have it in writing!
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I thought it was just my head spinning! So does this mean all highway speed limits are in consequential?
Happy Full Speed New Year!
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Rick,
It probably is your head spinning. It means that most everything we think is important is inconsequential . . .
xxxxx j
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I haven’t fallen off either—yet!
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Leggy P.
You’ve fallen ON the globe, not off it. Readers, check out her travels to places far and wide Where to Next
Happy, Healthy New Year!
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I wish you a great New Year, Judy, but I fear the next year’s political and economic turmoil – and it isn’t the media that worries me. We’re lighting the last Chanukah candles tonight – eight menorah loaded with light, symbolic and real, and blessings and the presence of many of the people we love to remind us why we won’t give up.
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Shari B-P,
Happy New Year to you too my dear friend. (The shamus candle on my menorah bent and melted long before the others . . . I hope it’s a sign of relaxation rather than resignation!)
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That little shamus works so hard lighting candle after candle, he deserves a break – but not the kind I have.
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Shari B-P,
You’re right on both counts! You didn’t deserve that kind of break either.
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