So, I’m studying and I’m listening to the band Incubus on my phone (sorry to all the Apple users, I have an Android, so I’m using Google Play Music…don’t hate, I’m typing this up on my iPad) and one of my favorite quotes/lyrics from the song ‘Nice To Know You’ is “to obtain a bird’s eye is to turn a blizzard into a breeze.” I’ve always loved that lyric because for some reason it always makes me reflect on life, just how looking up at the stars or even looking over the ocean make me do the same thing. The lyrics make me reflect on two different aspects of my own life, the first being able to see what a fast-paced life I’m leading and to slow down; slowing down and seeing that all my perceived stressors are not as bad when I look at the big picture. The second being my significance in this world; the vastness of space and the universe, the seemingly limitless uncharted territories of the oceans on our planet, may make some of us feel a little less significant.

But once again, even in regards to the entire universe, one can take a look at the bigger picture. I’m reminded of something Neil Degrasse Tyson said, and I’m paraphrasing, that we are all made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. Where did these elements come from? They were created during The Big Bang, which eventually created the planets and stars. Those stars exploded spreading their guts throughout the universe allowing those elements to form life. So, we are literally made of star dust.

I concur with Professor Tyson that to look up at the stars and realize that we ARE those stars is quite humbling and doesn’t make me feel less significant, but makes me feel as big as the entire universe.

Oh Incubus, how insightful you are!