I have loved the stars too fondly

 

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“… though my soul may set in darkness

it will rise in perfect light.

i have loved the stars too fondly

to be fearful of the night.”

Sarah Williams

<“the old astronomer to the pupil”>

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Stars are special things.

 

 

I do not know anyone who hasn’t stopped … for a moment on a clear night … to look up and scan the stars and either wonder which constellation it is or point out Orion’s belt or find the North star.

 

 

I do not know anyone who hasn’t … even in the most hectic moments … noticed that one star on a cloudy dark night that has made its light force it’s way through the shroud of darkness that has been trying to cover it.

 

 

I also don’t know anyone who hasn’t made a wish on a star. I do not care how practical or cynical you may be … you have made a wish.

 

 

Now.

 

I had no idea who Sarah Williams was when I read this poem for the first time.

 

So with some research I was disappointed to find that the poem this stanza (the 4th I believe) is pulled from is a literal tribute to science & astronomy.

 

Nuts.

 

 

Because I have found these words thought provoking far beyond the literal intent.

 

 

Why?

 

 

Well.

First.

 

While stars are special to astronomers … they are special to everyone.

 

 

Second.

 

Simply … star gazing is something everyone should do.

 

 

Personally I have found looking up at the night sky when I was upset or a had lot was on my mind to be helpful. Kind of calming. And, certainly, hopeful.

On those days when random thoughts … sometimes negative thoughts … sometimes the less than positive thoughts … aw heck … any thoughts … start bouncing around in my head, I admit, I will take some time and look to the night sky searching for a star to distract me or give me some clarity (or maybe better said … some thought decluttering).

And, yeah, even to this day, I still do so <one would think I could have found a more logical sure-fire method by now … huh?>.

There is a simplicity in a star that permeates whatever else you may have rattling around in that pea like brain of ours and kind of gives you some space <I don’t know how else to word it>.

 

 

Its like the light of it kind of pushes everything else off to the side for a moment or two.

 

 

And that is helpful.

 

 

Because as happy as you may be with your life there are always thoughts floating around in your head of “ is there something better” or “have I settled” or any thoughts challenging “what is” in your life versus what could be.

 

 

And while it may sound pedantic, if not silly, this is when looking up to the night sky and the stars and doing some star gazing seems to have it’s highest value.

Why? Not to look for tangible answers … because it would be silly to suggest that there answers in the stars.

 

 

Actually.

You should do so because … well … there are not answers there (although wishing on a falling star is always a good idea just in case).

 

 

Maybe I will only suggest that … well … in their nothingness there is everything.

 

 

“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night”

 

 

Because there are truly the dark moments in life … the nights when it was … well … dark. Completely dark. So dark you almost feel swallowed up in it all.

 

 

And those are the nights when you know you need a little light. Maybe just a spark. But some light.

 

 

And, yeah, you know where I am going with this … because I have an answer for anyone reading who has some of these nights.

 

Look up at the stars.

 

 

I promise you (with everything I have within me to promise something). The stars can guide you back to some light.

 

 

Things that may be chewing away at you somehow ease up a little. Or maybe they don;t ease up … they just lose some of their strength <I call it an infusion of some hope>.

 

 

Somehow there light pushes dark thoughts off to the side and in that emptiness whether you have a real wish or not there is some hope.

 

 

Hope for something better.

And, no, I am not talking about hope for winning the lottery or solving any particular issue. In fact, that is my own fondness of the stars … they are not particular in what they have to offer … they offer the nebulous intangible positiveness of ‘something.’

 

 

Anyway.

 

 

Enough of that.

 

 

So.

 

Here are some thoughts about stars.

 

There is a funny thing about stars … they come back every night no matter how good or bad your day was.

 

Whether you can only see a faint glimmer or a full constellation they are there.

 

They make great companions.

 

When everyone else is too busy … stars always have time to spare.

 

 

You can’t tell a star to go away because they won’t.

 

 

And no matter how complicated things get … well … a star remains simple.

 

With no expectations they patiently wait whatever you want to say to them or ask of them.

 

 

And they always carry a light with them … kind of like a glimmer of hope for something ‘better.’

 

 

Maybe Van Gogh said it best.

 

 

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”

Vincent van Gogh

 

 

My thought for the day?

 

 

There is always time to look at the stars.

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Written by Bruce