Dear Reader:

It is hard to believe that this first “Blue Marble” photo of Earth was taken December 21, 1968….fifty years ago. It changed our whole visual perspective on this planet we call home….this ‘blue marble’ floating in the inky blackness of space. What a miracle it is!

From the weekly offering  “Spotlight on Kindness”  the editors had this to say about this life-altering photo taken from the Apollo 8 crew on their mission to circle the moon and return home alive.

“We first had a glimpse of Earth from space 50 years ago. We had to travel far to finally be able to turn the camera back to see and reflect on our own image. The first humbling  image of our blue marble revealed how small we were in depthless black space. There are no borders seen from space – just our fragile shared home. Let’s start 2019 by reflecting on our common home and humanity…with no boundaries or borders…just its inhabitants.” Ameeta

In space every perspective is changed because our surroundings define our concept of who we are. If we are in a building, perhaps where we work or live, this is our environment ….the world in which we exist in our daily lives. If our daily lives are fringed by rivers, oceans, deserts, trees, or mountains…that equates to our definition of who we are by proximity.

Take this next photo for example….what we think we see and what we actually see are sometimes not the same….it depends on our own proximity and personal perception as to what really exists and what exists as our world in our minds.

Let us never forget that we are all travelers on the same planet. When this beautiful “blue marble” first appeared to the Apollo 8 astronauts…they defined it as a “gift to cherish.”

Humans’ track record of maintaining our beautiful blue marble is not one we can reflect on with pride. We have tainted this gift with our continuous quest for greed and power. It is never too late, however, to start some serious “spring, summer, fall and winter” cleaning…doing what is right for the environment… for our home… for everyone living in it.

So until tomorrow….When we look at our planet as our home…one inhabited by all of us….we realize just how connected we really are. We must make the most opportunity, in our life times,  to keep our home clean and healthy for those who follow.

“A Blessing to Take with You Through The Day”  Douglas Pagets

Find serenity in everyday living

Envision the gift of this day

When happiness comes to visit you

Encourage it to stay.