Space

A Limited but Unrivaled Space


Humanity inhabits a thin strip of the universe between worlds as grand as the infinity of the cosmos in which we are engulfed and as infinitesimal as the subatomic particles of which we are composed. Both the microbes slinking through nanometer-wide crevices on our skin and the black holes swallowing entire galaxies light years away remain elusive to our limited perception. We thus make our space in a truly narrow realm, even more so considering how fleeting our waltz with this eternal universe is. The mere decades that encapsulate our entire existence shackle our space to a particular time frame– to an uncertainty of the future and to an inability to control the past. Our space is now, where we stand, on this physical plane.

 At times, the ephemerality of my life in tandem with my fixedness to Earth seems like a chain encircling my space. How fascinating would it be to experience life on another planet? To travel through a deep-space nebula cloud? To peer into the microscopic realm of quarks and neutrinos? To transcend human limitations in a fictional world? To simply know what the future holds? The urgency of such questions often overshadows the unparalleled beauty right within my own space. I forget that no where else in the universe, at no other time, will I find the people who make me laugh until my sides ache, a life so profuse with comfort and support, a diverse array of food that ranges from In-N-Out fries to my mom's home-cooked heaven on a plate, and a planet that boasts gorgeous vistas and biodiversity found no where else. My space is limited in what it enables me to experience, but by no means is it empty or dull. I just take its unwavering access as a luxury. 

 It is only when I immerse myself in my space that I behold its unbridled brilliance. Walks on the beach next to the roar of the waves elucidate the power of the ocean water pooling so innocently at my feet. Witnessing the diverse flora and fauna surrounding me reminds me how fortunate I am to be graced with nature's beauty. A meaningful conversation prompts my appreciation for the people who have shaped me. So while my space shackles my subjective experience in life to a particular time, space, and dimension– barring me from accessing the enigmas beyond, I wouldn't want to exchange my snug strip of the universe for anything else. 


The beauty of Earth

My space is now

Comments

  1. Melissa BobilaJanuary 30, 2020 at 11:03 AM

    I love how descriptive you are as you draw comparisons among humans and the entire universe. Your blog truly incites the reader to take a step back and reflect on how limited one's perception of the world is as you emphasize not only the space of the universe, but the space of time humans are only capable of experiencing. The questions you incorporate guide the reader in doing so, encouraging them to imagine different experiences.

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  2. Divya N. NDSJJanuary 31, 2020 at 8:42 AM

    I adore the way you use language in this blogpost. The way you weave adjectives and descriptive phrases together truly brings the vastness and limitlessness of space to life! I think that these kinds of philosophical thoughts are always good to have at times, as it truly puts our problems and place in the world into perspective. I love how you elaborated on what makes life and your space meaningful to you because it shows us that though we may be little, the love we can give and share is infinite.

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  3. alexia gutierrezJanuary 31, 2020 at 10:01 AM

    Wow! Wow! Wow! This honestly took my breath away. I loved the questions you posed in the middle and how you brought everything back at the end by saying how your space is something you would never trade. I think it would be really interesting if you also went into depth about some of the negatives about living on your "snug strip of the universe" too, in addition to the positives you describe (food, friends, etc.). Otherwise, I really loved the depth and emotion that was conveyed through your piece.

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  4. Amelia GleixnerJanuary 31, 2020 at 10:29 AM

    I loved your blog, its incredible! First, your language is so beautiful, I even learned a new word! Second, I loved your message of being present. It really got to me, especially where we are in this stage in our lives, where it can be so easy to get caught up in thinking about the future and the past. Your descriptions of the small space that humans really inhabit makes me think about how grateful I am to have that small space, and how to be mindful of it always. I think if you were to write further on this topic I would add some things about times you feel negatively about your small piece of the universe, and how you deal with that. Beautifully written!

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  5. Sara MurphyJanuary 31, 2020 at 3:48 PM

    Nice photo of the Tetons! I completely agree with you, and I think this blogpost is super articulate. If you were to write more, I think a deep dive into a moment in time when you fully lived in the moment would be interesting to hear about. Your closing sentence is a great way to end the blog, and overall this was really fun to read!

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