You Do Not Have To Sit Outside In the Dark

If you want to look at the stars, you will find darkness is necessary.

This thought sends tentacles in a couple different directions for me.

Why would anyone want to look at stars? 

Because they're dazzling, mysterious, intriguing? 

Because they make beautiful patterns moving across the night sky?

Because someday you might even want to visit one or we might entertain a visitor from one?

That's one tentacle.  The other has to do with darkness. 

That's a different shade of meaning.  Darkness, for many of us, signifies sadness,

hardship, confusion, heartbreak, pain...a dubious reputation but there it is.

So, yes, if you want to look at the stars, darkness is necessary.

However, if you find yourself in darkness, remember to look for the stars.

They are there, often well hidden, sometimes behind clouds and sometimes behind tears or fears or agony that blocks your view. Still, we can trust they are there even when invisible,

even when we're blinded by our suffering.  

The stars neither require nor demand it.

This is true.  We are the ones giving meaning to the stars and the darkness.

And we matter...enormously.

Namaste'