“Two things fill my mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe,
the more often and persistently I reflect upon them:
the starry heaven above me and the moral law within me…
I see them in front of me and unite them immediately
with the consciousness of my own existence.”
Immanuel Kant
Critique of Practical Reason (1788)
“To the natural philosopher there is no natural object unimportant or trifling…
a soap bubble… an apple… a pebble…
He walks in the midst of wonders.”
John Herschel
A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy (1830)
On 12th August 2018, NASA sent the Parker Solar Probe on a mission into space to be the first to ‘touch’ the Sun. Like many other people around the globe, I follow their work with great anticipation.
For those who are unable to witness in person the mindboggling spectacle and achievement of a space launch:
I am not joking when I insist that I cannot die before any discovery of previous life on Mars would be confirmed. When some time ago there was news of the discovery of possible traces of water on the Red Planet, I exclaimed spontaneously: ‘Motherland!’, which I have to admit sounds ridiculous. And yet, the miracle of life on our planet has fascinated humans for thousands of years. Our eyes were drawn intuitively to the sky at night even before the ancient Egyptians made the stars and their constellations an integral part of their life and afterlife. On every part of the globe, early inhabitants worshipped the Sun, the life-giver.
The development of science and technology over the last hundred years has presented a few theories on how life started. Meteors brought chemical ingredients as precursors for life in addition to those already present on Earth. We know that by a lucky coincidence the forces of gravity placed Earth’s matter in a precise position to the Sun to create later life. Not too close and not too far but just right for carbon atoms (the most important element of life) to bind with other atoms into chains and create complex chemical reactions, even DNA. The other essential element was silicon, which is the main element in rock building. Today’s silicon intelligence is the only rival to our carbon-built brain. Only energy was needed in that mix, and the creation of life in the fertile soup that our planet was then, could begin over millions of years. When later on, the Earth developed a crusted surface, the gases around it and the presence of water provided the ingredients for life creation. Volcanic eruptions and gravity created the Earth’s atmosphere enabling the process.
Now the Blue Planet is amazingly, breathtakingly beautiful – forests, mountains, rivers, meadows and oceans. Our own achievements – cities with their magnificent cathedrals, other places of worship and culture, parks and gardens, sculptures and fountains, should make us aware and proud of our shared heritage. One life is not enough to see it and admire all.
The photo below shows Sarez Lake in Tajikistan.
Below is shown The Wave sandstone rock formation in Coyote Buttes, Arizona.
Below are shown the Hoodoo rock formations in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
Below is Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire.
A performance of Allegri’s sublime Miserere Mei at King’s College in Cambridge:
My first point is this: knowledge of the amazing chain of coincidences that created our planet should make everyone aware of what a gift and privilege it is to be alive. Primary and secondary school children should be taught over and over again that life is precious and not to be wasted. As Longfellow wrote in his famous verse:
“We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time.”
When I wrote this post originally, the creation of the first in the world Minister for Suicide Prevention had just been announced. Self-harm, sense of isolation, and lack of purpose lead to a continuing increase in the number of suicides, especially among young people. Yet the message is there all the time – from the film “It’s a Wonderful Life”(that every life matters) to the Roman maxim, and lately the same final advice from Professor Hawking, – ‘Look to the stars and not at your feet.’ Why are we not teaching our children this from a very young age in Life Skills lessons? And the other wisdom that should be repeated continuously until it becomes a mantra; we are survivors and there is a solution to every problem. Of course, those people who have a chemical imbalance and need medical treatment are not going to be helped just by discussions.
With medical progress advancing all the time, who knows what could be achieved in the mental health section. Such a dreadful waste of a life. Comes to mind the sermon of John Donne to King Charles I: “… and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
My second point is that we are here alone, and only a human can help another human being. And while we cannot help everybody, everybody can help someone. One columnist of a national newspaper wrote mockingly: “Everyone is helpful and keeps their promises, and if you believe this, the moon is made of cheese.” I would rather adopt Cary Grant’s remark in one of his films: ‘If only we could be more like humans, we would create Heaven right here on Earth.’ I am writing this because we have let down a whole generation by pretending that ethics don’t matter and we can all do whatever we like. Unfortunately, in reality, this theory leads to chaos and often tragedy. A young man of my acquaintance said to me a few days ago: “Every day when I wake up, I ask myself – why am I here?”
My answer would be Goethe’s – “I am here to wonder.”
I would also add – I am here to help another, even if it isn’t convenient for me. And I do.
William Blake perfectly described the wonder of our unique world:
“To see a World in a Grain of Sand,
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,
And Eternity in an hour.”
The beautiful second movement Andante of Sinfonia Concertante in E flat Major by Mozart stirs the heart:
We all should strive that our children understand their luck in being here because a failure to do so is a crime against humanity. If we won’t protect our children, who will?
A poem by the 19th-century American poet, Emily Dickinson encapsulates my own philosophy of life:
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
Two books were published quite recently, both reflecting my belief that life is precious. ‘The House of Glass’ by Hadley Freeman is a memoir of one of the greatest survival stories. The last line of this memoir – “Life is worth the trouble of fighting death.” – stands as a moving testament to that creed.
The second book ‘Things I Learned From Falling’ by Claire Nelson gives a message that life is to be appreciated. The author had a serious injury while falling in Joshua Park. Here is her reflection on the close encounter with death:
“I wish I could say I left the desert a new and improved version of myself. I’m still flawed. I still feel irritated by terribly trivial things. But now when I feel like I’m slipping, I have something to kick my boots against. Gratitude. A mountain of it, so large that at any moment I can stretch out a hand and touch the rock. The life we lead is an unmarked trail, one of ascent and descent. Mistakes will be made. We will get lost. We will fall, and it will hurt like hell. Through falling we find out not only how strong we are, but how glorious it is to be on the trail at all.”
In conclusion, here is the mesmerising composition Spem in Alium (Hope in any other) by Thomas Tallis, performed by the Taverner Choir:
naturetails 
beautiful! just amazing! thank you for sharing this🤗🙏🏼❤️🥰
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Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! Your words are greatly appreciated!
Namaste!
Joanna
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Beautiful, Joanna! ❤️ Thank you!
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Thank you, Filipa, for your wonderful comment! Your praise is greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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You clearly shared your sense of passion and discovery with us.
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The world is indeed beautiful. With the younger generation, their life has been on their phones and computers, so they weren’t taught to enjoy the outdoors, let their brains rest and be creative naturally from within rather than from asking the computer for the answer. Also, I think we need to teach kids how to deal with low moments. How to quickly snap out of sad feelings, turn our thoughts around to positive ones. It takes practice, but the mind is powerful and we are in charge of it. Beautiful photos. 💕
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Thank you, Pat, for your kind comment! Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Monica, for your thoughtful comments! All greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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I agree, Monica, with everything you wrote, thank you!
Joanna
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“We all should strive that our children understand their luck in being here because a failure to do so is a crime against humanity. If we won’t protect our children, who will?”
American schools have been increasingly teaching that our society is irredeemably horrid. That may sound like I’m exaggerating, but evidence confirms the effects of such sustained negativity. If you go from adults down to children, you’ll find higher and higher instances of anxiety, depression, and other mental problems.
The people in charge of education are implacably and dogmatically negative. I despair about finding a way to reverse the trend and let children appreciate the good things in life again.
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Thank you, Steve, for your thoughtful comments that I greatly appreciate!
Joanna
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Miserere Mei and Spem in Alium two of my favourite choral pieces. I always think how wonderful it must be to part of a chorus creating such a sound! All that our beautiful planet holds and the wonders that are beyond our Universe should be enough to inspire any young person if they had the opportunity to be exposed to them. Thank you Joanna for this.
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A beautiful post, Joanna! ❤ There are so many things here that are dear to me. The quotes from William Blake and Emily Dickinson are among my favorites. The music is lovely!
I wholeheartedly agree that our children need improvements in education such as those you mention. Sadly, it seems as though we are moving backward in Florida and in some other states.
While I never expect to travel in space, advances in space travel continue to fascinate me. I think we all share some curiosity about our world and the universe. It's great that we can now view such photos of the sun. I heard yesterday that India's mission to the moon found water, frozen, I would assume!
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Great inspiring reflections of life:”the starry heaven above me and the moral law within me… I see them in front of me and unite them immediately with the consciousness of my own existence.”Also the video was quite amazing , Joanna! Thanks for sharing 🌷🙏
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your lovely comments! I feel passionately about teaching our children about appreciation of life. I published this post because a few days ago a young girl found my posts about cats and dogs, and out of courtesy I looked up her post. To my horror, in one she described how her dog prevented her from killing herself. I asked her to read this post, and I hope she will. She also loves her cat, hence her interest in my posts.
Thank you, Carolyn, again!
Joanna
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Thank you, Cheryl, for your thoughtful comments! The universe fascinated people for millennia, and finally we are able to learn about to a small degree. India’s mission of soft landing is about checking or frozen water in that part of the moon Great achievement, especially as Russian crashed attempting to do the same.
If you read my reply to Carolyn, it will tell you why I published this post now.
Thank you, Cheryl again! You words are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Dhirendra, for your kind comment! All greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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You know only too well that I love reading all your posts Joanna, but I think you’ve just created the best one yet. You’ve covered the meaning of life in such a special way that there’s nothing more to add. Brilliant Joanna – just brilliant!
PS I do hope your young friend that you spoke about reads this post too.
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Thank you, Malc, for your wonderful comments! You are priceless reader! I feel so strongly about appreciating being alive and using my life to some purpose, and I hope the girl in question will read it. Of course, the meaning of life was debated for millennia by sages and philosophers in all cultures around the world.
As to the best post, we have to see what else I can come up in the future…
Thank you, Malc, again!
Joanna
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I know you won’t disappoint Joanna. You never do.
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PS. Has anyone told you, Malc, today already how adorable you are?!
Joanna x
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LOL. No they haven’t Joanna – or at least not up until now, so thank you for your lovely thoughts. Have a great day and a wonderful weekend 😎
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Thank you, I will!
Joanna
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Excellent work, Joanna! Lot to read and understsnd!
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Thank you, Indira, for your kind comments! All greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Hello Joanna
Finished reading your article. In reality, I enjoy studying cosmology. Your essay is fantastic. Immanuel Kant’s opening quotation perfectly expresses the two sources of his wonder and introspection: the vastness of the starry sky and the inner compass of moral principles. His tremendous appreciation for existence and self-awareness are reflected in his profound understanding of the interconnectivity of the universe and the human conscience. This old-fashioned statement nevertheless makes people ponder and reflect.
Your first argument, which emphasises the enormous privilege of being, brilliantly highlights the need of comprehending the complex chain of coincidences that shaped our planet. This is something that school should strongly emphasise since it helps people appreciate how valuable life is. Longfellow’s remarks serve as a poignant reminder for us to make lasting contributions to history.
You draw attention to the critical need for society to pay attention to causes like self-harm, loneliness, and purposelessness that are contributing to an increase in suicides, particularly among young people. The allusions, which range from timeless films to profound philosophical insight, emphasise the enduring idea that every life is valuable. The topic of how early these skills should be taught highlights the need of fostering interconnection, resilience, and resilience from an early age in order to improve the lives of future generations.
Your subsequent point Our capacity to help one another as people, and the power of even one act of kindness, are the two key concepts. Accepting the possibility of positive change in the face of scepticism mirrors Cary Grant’s remark. As we lead a generation that is looking for a purpose in a complicated environment, the demand to defend ethics resonates, combating chaos.
Your articles frequently display a masterful fusion of accessible images, thought-provoking article material, and a portrayal of peace and tranquilly in human life. I greatly appreciate your piece of writing for its universality. I genuinely appreciate you sharing such powerful stuff.
By the way, I request you to have a glance on my content published today.
Best wishes for your upcoming posts.
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There was more to write. But I stopped because of the lengthy replies and comments.
However, I find myself irresistibly drawn to revisiting your words again and again, as they seem to mirror my own thoughts and inner expressions. Your article profoundly resonates with my mind, echoing the sentiments that often remain unspoken.
My kind regards to you Joanna.
Arun.
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“I’m here to wonder” includes both the light & the dark, the good & the bad!
A wonderful post, Joanna, one of the best, & it has lifted my spirits! 💓💌🤗🙋♂️
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Thank you, Arun, for your wonderfully eloquent comments!
You covered masterfully all the point, and I don’t need to add anything, thank you!
Of course, I will read your post shortly.
Thank you, Arun, again, your words are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Ashley, for your wonderful comments! You have lifted my spirits too!
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PS. I press wrong button too soon!
And so, thank you, Ashley, again, as always, your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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Goodness, Arun! I can hardly find words to thank you for your wonderful comments!!
Please, accept my thank from the bottom of my heart!!
My best wishes to you, and my blessings!
Joanna
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Thank you so much for your kind words and blessings. Namaste.
Arun
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Namaste! I am just going to read your post!
Joanna
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Thank you so much, Joanna, for your lovely words. I am very happy. I am encouraged. My best regards to you.
Arun.
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You cannot even imagine, Arun, how happy I am reading your words! Thank you!
Joanna
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“I am here to wonder; I am here to help another, even if it isn’t convenient for me.” – Your answers to the question “Why am I here?” are just perfect. What a fascinating and thought provoking article Joanna. Thank you once again.
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Thank you, Peter, for your generous comments! I am more than happy with today’s thoughts from so many readers, and yours, Peter, are greatly appreciated!
Thank you again!
Joanna
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful post, so full of stunning information, quotes, videos and images
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Stay blessed always 😊
Write more to bring more peace in this world 🌎
😊🙏☺️
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Thank you!
Joanna
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My pleasure 🙏
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Thank you!
Joanna
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This post of yours is close to my heart, Joanna. First, I can link NASA’s space mission to the Sun with the softlanding of India’s Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon. Incidentally our ISRO is also planning to send a space mission “Aditya” to the Sun.
Immanuel Kant’s quote opens up the vastness of the subject, on which I always love to talk, read and write, and yes, one life is not enough for this. But unfortunately our new generation people are not able to enjoy even one life. Young adults cut short that only life by committing suicide on trivial grounds.
Of course, they are misguided, irresponsible and immature, but what about our own generation? Have we given them proper environment to grow and flourish. And then we blame the generation gap. Both generations are answerable for this gap.
In ancient times we had Gurukul system, where all kinds of moral, ethical, social, scientific teachings were given to the disciples, but sadly we have also abandoned this, after Macaulay’s education system.
I love your videos, pictures and quotes, especially Blake and Dickinson’s. The two books you mentioned seem worth a read. Thank you so much, Joanna, for one more interesting and important post!
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Thank you, Kaushal, for your insightful comments! I can see the connection with India’s magnificent achievement, and I will be following the progress. I know that your writing and interests are linked to the ideas, I included in my post, perhaps, that is one reason we are such a good friends, and I understand the hidden meaning in your writing.
The old educational system would make the difference if it was still in practice.
Perhaps, the global warming will bring us to our senses in more areas than one.
As positive thinking is must in life, I do hope we will survive and create a better world for the next generations, and for our selves too.
Thank you, Kaushal, again!
Joanna
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You’re welcome, Joanna! I appreciate your kind response.
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You are welcome, as always, Kaushal!
Joanna
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Wonderful post, very touching in a sense. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the beautiful photos as well.
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Thank you, Diana, for your kind comments! All greatly appreciated! I am glad that you liked the music.
Joanna
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Fascinating! Thank you for this rich share.
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