so small

Airplane flights give me perspective. When I look out of the window, I'm overwhelmed by the number of people that each little dot of light represents. From so far above, you can't even pick out specific cities, let alone homes, or cars, or people. Yet, imagine what each of those people is going through, right at that moment. When you look at that city, you're looking at people crying, at people laughing, at people fighting, at people singing. Some single mom is sitting down to a meal her kids, another family is rushing to get to an event on time, while yet another is chatting while packing for a vacation. So much is happening, and we can't even begin to comprehend it all.


For me, flying is always a reminder of how little control I truly have. You can't preserve a sense of control when you're flying. Someone else controls the plane, as you soar thousands of feet above the ground, at hundreds of miles per hour. At the same time, as you watch the cities pass beneath, there's a sense of being so small. I am easily overwhelmed by daily dramas or studies - yet, in my city, state, or world, my little issues don't really amount to much.


I suppose that could lead to a feeling of insignificance...but for me it doesn't. I don't feel insignificant - I feel small. The difference is slight, but important. Insignificance implies an unimportance. Being small doesn't reduce the value of my life, or the importance of my situation, rather, it means that other people are going through life too. It's a simple concept - my life is just one of many - but when I watch cities slip away beneath my plane, it really connects. When I can see the lights that represent so many lives, it feels more real.


I can't control every situation in my life, and neither can any of the nearly-7-billion other people on this earth. At some point, we have to surrender our issues to someone who can actually exercise control.


I really like this short clip by Francis Chan. (I found his book, "Crazy Love" to be very inspiring - this video was part of his accompaniment for the book.) Although, it does make my brain explode a little.

I can't control my life, and neither can anyone else. When I try to manage every issue and control every interaction, life breaks down quickly. Very quickly. Each of us is just a one in billions, and our situations often threaten overwhelm us.

Yet, when I look out of the window of an airplane, it's not hopeless, and I don't feel insignificant. Someone has it all under control - and I am very grateful it isn't me.

It's so easy to get lost inside a problem that seems so big at the time

It's like a river that’s so wide, it swallows you whole

While you sit around thinking about what you can't change, and worrying about all the wrong things

Time's flying by, moving so fast -- You better make it count 'cause you can't get it back

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand

What you've been up there searching for forever is in your hands

When you figure out love is all that matters after all

It sure makes everything else seem so small

Carrie Underwood - "So Small"

Monumental

I saw the documentary "Monumental" the other day, and it's really cool. "Monumental" is about American history, and the almost-forgotten "National Monument to the Forefathers." Production of the movie is perhaps a little over-dramatic (Check out the trailer as an example of what I mean =P), but it kept me from getting bored. Most of us don't even know that this monument exists, but it stands as a tribute to the principles of America. Look at the poster, and examine the monument in the back left corner a little closer. The "National Monument to the Forefathers" is over 80 feet tall, and is comprised of five statues (and smaller reliefs) that symbolize important values. The central figure stands for faith, and holds an open Bible. The four surrounding statues are Liberty, Morality, Law, and Education.

Liberty sits on a lion skin, holding a sword. Broken chains bind his wrists and feet. The two side reliefs are "Tyranny Overthrown" and "Peace."

Morality holds the Ten Commandments, and is seated above two reliefs, "Prophet" and "Evangelist." Morality has no eyes, because her thoughts are focused inwards.

Law also holds the Ten Commandments, and sits with his hand outstretched in judgement. The two side reliefs are "Justice" and "Mercy."

Education teaches out of a Bible, and blends the two side reliefs of "Youth" and "Wisdom."

~~~

"National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty."

(Photo credits: Statue and park, Liberty, Morality, Law, Education, Full statue.)

Quotes - optimism

“I am an old man and have known many troubles, but most of them never happened.” – Mark Twain
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  - Thomas Edison