What feelings does this photo invoke in you?

I stared at this photo - originally posted by Jean, the Cheerful Monk, when she wrote, At Home in the Universe.

Jean asked:

………..have you ever felt you looked at things differently from other people…that a part of you was alone in the universe? If so, what was your reaction? Were you frightened… depressed… exhilarated… lonely? What did you do?

I often look at things differently, and don’t feel alone or lonely with my thoughts, or outlook on life, but this photo got me riled up….

I asked myself. Do I feel connected….or alone……? as I contemplated this photo. I love the photo, but it does feel lonely to me. It’s the vastness, the emptiness, that is a bit scary. I know I’m not supposed to be scared. After all, I’m an evolving Spiritual Being.

Who me, scared? Well, yea. Occasionally.

When I get a flat tire the day my child was sick and my husband is out of town and the dog threw up and I’m crying on the side of the road……. Yes, sometimes it does feel like I’m alone, and the world isn’t fair. I thrash and wail and wonder what is coming next that will happen to me.

And I feel totally alone…. Stranded out there without anyone to tether to.

Watching the fires in California, my heart goes out to everyone,. Now they say it’s arson, and I wonder; Where is the justice? And I feel alone. - Lonely. I could send a bit of money, and pray, but I don’t feel my small contribution can really help those who’ve lost everything. They must feel so alone, so helpless.

Do the families of the migrant workers who burned to death in a homeless camp feel left empty in a vast universe? Victims of circumstances completely out of their control?

…. and yet…..

I’ve got no problem being alone. I often am, writing, walking, meditating….but out there in the universe, in the middle of all that vastness, with no one else to call on - yes, I admit, my heart raced a bit looking at the photo. I thought “You’ve only got yourself, your inner resources to help you.”

What if I were to loose my way?

The astronaut has a spaceship close by to help him navigate….. and a command control center on the earth, and a spacesuit and controls inside and lots of tools to help him find his way.

Of course! So do I.

My heart and spirit is a direct connection to my command center, and I can ask for help when I need it - both from myself and my inner circle of friends and family. I’ve got lots of love to give and receive and I can always take a breath….

…I won’t get lost.

If I do, I’ll tap into my heart, my intuition, my spirit. I’ll take a cry on the side of the road if I need to.

Then I’ll use my cell phone.

We’ve all got resources… The question is, do we remember to use them?

When life feels like you’ve been dumped out in the universe do you call on your command center? Friends, family, your own inner knowing? Are you using every resource available?

Thats my lesson from the photo.

Tap into my heart, breathe, enjoy the view. And use my cell phone when needed.

For more amazing essays on this photo, follow the links from Jean’s original post, (link above) and take part in this conversation.

Sue? Gail? Carol? Anyone else want to participate? What about you?

Leave your comments below or link back to your own blog post.