“Once a photograph of the Earth, taken from outside is available…a new idea as powerful as any other in history will be let loose.” -Sir Frederick Hoyle, 1948

One of the most beautiful photos I have ever
seen is a picture of the earth rising over the
horizon of the moon. It looks blue, warm and
safe, particularly juxtaposed against the bleak
surface of the moon in the foreground and the
black emptiness surrounding it.

According to my Globe this weekend, this little
planet we inhabit is meandering through the
galaxy at about 1,332,000 kilometers an hour.
It sure doesn’t feel like we’re going that fast.
I guess it’s a good thing that we have that
atmosphere surrounding us like we’re driving
through space in a convertible with the top up.

(Much as I love convertible, I for one am glad we have that top up – I can’t imagine what a mess my hair would be if it were being blown around at that speed.)

I’m just saying that we need to protect this little ball we are riding around on so that it stays warm, safe and blue. We need to recognize that we all share the same land and sea and air and ruining it for anyone ruins it for everyone. And finally that when someone cuts you off in traffic or jumps into line ahead of you or doesn’t do what you ask them to do, give yourself some perspective by remembering the little blue ball in the middle of the big black emptiness.

Christy DeMont