Have you ever gazed at a clear night sky, lost in a sea of twinkling stars stretching infinitely beyond your wildest imagination? It’s often a humbling experience, reminding us of our place in the grand scheme of things. But amidst the awe, a question might flicker: “Where do I fit in?”
Let’s take a slight leap beyond the human perspective. Imagine “consciousness” as the ability to sense and respond to the world. We humans have a certain form of this, with self-awareness, emotions, and abstract thought.
Is a hydrogen atom, a simple building block of matter, conscious? Does it possess self-awareness? The honest answer is: We don’t know. The scientific answer seeks evidence, while the philosophical answer might lean towards a hopeful “likely.”
We understand that a plant exists, but can a plant recognize a human? Probably, yes. But the plant’s mechanism of perception and communication might be so different from ours that they’re beyond our comprehension. Remember, we aren’t the only observers in this cosmic dance. Everything, living or nonliving, constantly interacts, shaping our collective reality.
Here’s a thought experiment: imagine a fertilized egg growing into a complex human being. Cells differentiate, organs form, and consciousness emerges. Perhaps the universe itself underwent a similar grand transformation, birthing galaxies, stars, and ultimately, conscious beings like us. Just as we struggle to understand another person’s thoughts, the universe’s consciousness might be beyond our current grasp.
But here’s the mind-blowing part: You and the universe aren’t separate entities. We’re all made of the same fundamental particles, just arranged differently. The moon you see, the sand beneath your feet, and your phone in your hand all share the same building blocks, in unique configurations.
Think of your own body, a breathtakingly complex organism of trillions of cells. Each cell plays a vital role, but it’s unlikely any one cell understands the workings of the entire human being. Similarly, a human might struggle to imagine the universe’s vast consciousness and get trapped in a limited reality.
You and I are part of a greater organism, an entity whose size and form remain a mystery. Each of us plays a role, one we may not fully understand, but that doesn’t matter. Just like a red blood cell diligently works without needing to grasp the human experience, our basic existence serves a purpose. Everything else—our thoughts, feelings, and experiences—are simply add-ons, unique expressions of being human.
Within the vast story of the universe, a story that stretches far beyond our existence, we find ourselves at a remarkable point. We are beings capable of perception, experience, and questioning our own existence. Imagine a philosophical blood cell! We are a conscious anomaly in the grand scheme of things, and that’s something to marvel at.
Within the vast story of the universe, a story that stretches far beyond human existence, we find ourselves at a remarkable point. We are beings capable of perception, experience, and questioning our own existence. Imagine a philosophical blood cell! We are a conscious anomaly in the grand scheme of things, and that’s something to marvel at.
Self-worth and belonging
In this grand scheme, you belong exactly as you are. Success, wealth, or knowledge are not prerequisites for your place in the universe. The sun doesn’t demand good grades before warming your skin, the plants don’t ask about your fitness level before converting sunlight into your food, and the hungry tiger isn’t concerned with your bank account before seeing a potential meal. The universe operates on a fundamental principle: you are worthy of experiencing its wonders simply because you exist.
We often create arbitrary conditions for our self-worth. “I’m worthy if I’m rich,” “I’m worthy if I’m kind,” “I’m worthy if I’m”smart”—these become the hurdles we set for ourselves. The truth is, your worth is inherent, unquantifiable, and doesn’t need constant validation. Yet, we spend so much energy chasing opportunities to prove ourselves to others, a never-ending and ultimately meaningless pursuit.
This unconditional worth allows you to explore the richness of this planet without the burden of self-doubt. It frees you to pursue experiences—doing well in school, getting rich and famous, looking a certain way, or doing a certain job. These are all experiences that can add color and texture to your life on Earth, but they can never take away your inherent worth.
Irrelevant and extremely relevant at the same time
Imagine a colossal star, a million times brighter than our sun, blazing vibrantly a thousand light-years away. To us here on Earth, it’s a mere speck in the night sky, a distant twinkle.
You are, in your own way, a star. A tiny speck in the vast universe, yet a radiant center for those in your personal orbit. You may not realize the profound impact you have on others, but the truth is, you are a source of light and warmth in their lives. This realization may come later, but it will come nonetheless.
Embrace the paradox: you are both incredibly significant and incredibly insignificant. It’s this very paradox that makes your existence so beautiful and your potential so extraordinary.
Break free from the narratives that define your worth; they are all illusions.
This planet will offer you intense joy and the deepest sorrow. Life need not be about working towards specific emotions or avoiding others; it’s about experiencing the full spectrum of what this incredible universe has to offer. Embrace the journey, embrace yourself, and explore!