
Lately contemplating overwhelming, personal
headaches, body-aches and heartaches,
while sitting out late at night
under real dark, new moon skies.
Imagining navigating difficulties by stars,
just like our curious ancestors.

My dilemmas bearing down
as well as those facing all living beings
seem less imposing against a background
of the universes countless stars.
Was that an asteroid that just whizzed by earth?

With sky clear, looking deeply
within my own calm feelings &
peaceful workings, freedom presented
by galaxy’s vast spaciousness
is remarkably recognized, familiar.
In order to visualize cosmic guidance
I asked my camera to focus on infinity
and expose the Milky Way for one half second, up to three seconds.
When everything out there seems to be rotating,
then it’s actually us earthlings who are dizzily spinning, yes?
Being a part of the universe at this most
special present moment makes me smile.
Wishing you clear skies.

“When you ask the question, “Who am I?”—if you have enough time and concentration—you may find some surprising answers. You may see that you are a continuation of your ancestors. Your parents and your ancestors are fully present in every cell of your body; you are their continuation. You don’t have a separate self. If you remove your ancestors and your parents from you, there’s no “you” left.
You may see that you’re made of elements, like water for example. If you remove the water from you, there’s no “you” left. You’re made of earth. If you remove the element earth from you, there’s no “you” left. You’re made of air. You need air desperately; without air you cannot survive. So if you remove the element of air from you, there’s no “you” left. And there’s the fire element, the element of heat, the element of light, in you. You know that you are made of light. Without sunlight, nothing can grow on Earth. If you continue to look, you see that you are made of the sun, one of the biggest stars in the galaxy. And you know that the Earth, as well as yourself, is made of the stars. So you are the stars. On a clear night, look up, and you can see that you are the stars above. You’re not just the tiny body you normally may think of as “yourself.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh, Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise
Going within and connecting to our ‘Ancestors’ looking UP and SEEing just how vast our Universe is and how miniscule we are. Understanding we too are ONE with the Universe made up of the same elements as the Stars… (Being Star Seeds, of course lol )
You see just how impossible it is for us to be alone!.. 🙂 Passing meteorites or star-ships 😉
Loved your thoughts David and beautiful quote my friend
Much love 🙂 💜🙏
makes me happy spinning
on this little space ball with you, Sue!
perhaps if those lights were
a bit closer we would not feel
so all alone.
wishing you a bright
happy moment, david 🙂
They are closer than any one of us think.. 🙂 lol.. And Happy to be in the same Space and Time with you too David 🙂
The further out we look, the more we discover our interior. Beautiful images, in pixels and words.
thank you for kindly,
succinctly saying what
i hoped to express, Stephen!
may you day be brightened
with a warm star 🙂
Such peaceful and profound reflections, David, and exquisite photos that inspire a sense of connections to limitless time and space. ❤
thank you for your kind reflection, dear Carol!
i’m grateful to be spinning here in space
with you and many other
caring people 🙂
Thank you so much for this celestial meditation, David. The photos are exquisite. Wow. And the TNH reading, and your poetry, and the thoughts are valuable, and so very exquisitely articulated. I live rurally and have the opportunity to see beautiful night skies quite often, and I think about ship navigation from the old days, and this map they had above them. Sometimes I can spot a satellite, and I know a few constellations. But I never thought of the stars as a part of me, and this is a new reflection I am going to have great joy with…thank you so much, dear friend.
makes me happy that you enjoy the spacey meditation, dear Jet!
it’s amazing the connection to nature humans had
before getting caught in so many distractions.
i’m enjoying losing some sleep, occasionally
just to look up and wonder
while the camera goes to work.
wishing you happiness with your
new found star status 🙂
Wishing you happy stargazing. 🙂
thank you, dear Ben!
they seem to be saying something.
i’ll let you know if i
figure out what it is 🙂
We could discuss it all night. 🙂
Very beautiful. Thank you!
smiling to your kind reflection, dear Doris!
may you evening be filled
with happy galaxies 🙂
So much fog here.
I wait for winter
to see into eternity.
Wonderful reflections,
as always!
thank you for your kind fogginess, Tom!
it was clear many evenings last week
on the mendocino coast; quite different from the old days.
wishing you clear skies, when
they are ready 🙂
Many thanx for sharing your awesome photos and inspiring verse. Peace.
the stars, camera & i
all thank you for your kindness, loujen!
may your day continue being inspired 🙂
Such a beautiful post to help us pause in space and appreciate our connectivity with the stars. Great captures. 😊
makes me happy being
here in space with you, dear Val!
while i had to stay up past my bedtime
to get many of the shots
it was worth it!
I really enjoyed this post, friend
makes me happy being
out here in space
with you, Leyla, thanks 🙂
Wow… It takes us beyond time and space.
thank you, Amy!
that’s more than
i could have hoped for!
may your day be well 🙂
You’ve shared many beautiful photos in your posts, David, but these are sublime. I will be coming back to view them again. And you text was calming to this dizzily spinning Earthling, who, like you, has been weighted of late by personal aches of body, heart and mind. Good to be reminded we are all in this together, and that “we” is more spacious and peaceful than we usually consider. Thank you!
thank you for your kind reflection, Cate!
i enjoyed staying up late to take the photos.
i’m happy you like them. how wonderful we can
find some peace in the spaciousness
we share in this moment 🙂
Such breathtakingly stunning imagery! I can get lost in those photographs – they remind me of everything that is out there. We are so small in comparison, yet we are integral parts of the cosmos. 🙂 🙂 🙂
thank you for kindly reflecting on the images, dear franticshanti!
isn’t it amazing that we’re out there
among all those stars of the cosmos?
may we long stay bright 🙂
Your pictures are full of stars! Hee Hee. I was thinking of a line from 2001 a Space Odyssey. But seriously, I’m enthralled by the richness of this beauty. You have shown us the power, mystery, and deep peace of a star filled night sky. Looking at the stars has comforted me on many a night. I’m saying a prayer that peace and comfort surround and permeate you and those you love.
your kind reflection brought me a memory
and a smile, JoAnna! how wonderful
we’ve together gazed above in comforted wonder.
humbly i’m grateful for your kind supportive prayers 🙂
🙂
Amazing photos and amazing reflection of the peace we receive from the vastness of space and the stars. We are infinitesimal and yet part of the infinite. ❤
Thank you for letting me know of peace received
from these image’s reflections, Diana!
they help me feel the bigness & smallness
of this sweet existence 🙂
I’ve experienced similar! Magnificent the photos and the writing!
makes me happy know we are experiencing
the heaven’s above and within, together, dear Stella!
wishing you brightness among the stars 🙂
That makes me happy too!:) Thank you so much!:)
Such extraordinary images, David.
How lucky you are to be in such a space to be able to see the night sky and stars like that.
We are all interconnected and part of the universal One, that is for sure.
i’m happy you enjoy the milky way images, Vicki!
i’ve been fortunate to experience clear skies with my camera
during travels over the past couple months.
wherever i go, it’s like you said,
we’re interconnected as one
with enough room for all 🙂
Charlee: “Wow, so many stars in the sky. We never see that many stars around here.”
Lulu: “I think that’s because there’s too much light pollution, right?”
Chaplin: “Yes, but it also doesn’t help that we cats never leave the house.”
makes me happy finding the kitty
constellation up there among
all the stars, Oceanside animals!
how fun finding the same space
even inside the house 🙂
In a world where so many feel separated and alone at this time, I am grateful for your reminder David to slow down and to see our ancestral, earth, sky and star family watching over us and whispering, “We are always here with you, expand into everything that you are already.”
it’s comforting looking over
and experiencing you here
among all the other stars
in the universe, Karen!
may we continue having
the energy to shine 🙂
Yes Amen to that ✨✨✨
I LOVE this! You did an awesome job here! 😊👏🏼
makes me happy that you love the stars!
may your day be well 🙂
Thank you, and may yours be amazing too! 😊
So, this is how you enjoy the flavour of coppuccino.🙂
a little coffee
helps staying up
past my bedtime, Deepak!
may you be well 🙂
Meditative, indeed. You captured the joy of the night sky .
makes me happy you
find it meditative, Sally!
may your skies be clear
and joyful 🙂
Thank you, that’s lovely.
What beautiful astral images, David! I’m so impressed at the detail and professional quality. You are very talented and must have quite a camera! Thanks for sharing them and Thây’s wonderful words.
Must 🙄
thank you for these kind words, Sunny! after practicing a bit
my camera was up for the job. wishing you a happy moment 🙂
Wonderful photos and post… Reflections of the amazing universe that speak to us!
i appreciate your kind review, Bette!
may the universe continue
offering joyful affirmations 🙂
Wow! David, through your post I feel I’ve travelled to the stars, drifting in the gift of the cosmos … and back to my very self! A deep and thought provoking post that touches me to the core and will stay with me. Your photos are a pure joy to behold, truly breathtaking. Thank you for sharing these, your thoughts and the wonderful extract at the end. Happy StarGazing! 😀 Btw. Love you new layout/blog theme!
i smile your kind reflection, Annika!
makes me happy that you returned
from the trip far out
into the universe.
now i can look forward
to your next creative expression 🙂
Amazing photos! I’ve been watching various documentaries lately on the cosmos, the ineffable majesties of the universe. Your post fits right in and expands the awe of our Milky Way and beyond. Great post, David. The answers are indeed within us. 🙂
i am happy this reaffirms
joyful wonders of the universe, Betty!
i enjoyed being out late and meditating
with the stars, along with my camera.
there are amazing documentaries out there,
especially produced by the bbc.
may you be well 🙂
Will have to search for the BBC documentaries. Most I’ve seen are on PBS. Thanks for the tip!
May you also be well, David. 🙂
here’s a series i really enjoyed:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zdhtg
🙂
Thanks so much, David! My kind of subjects. Am familiar with Brian Cox. Looking forward to checking these out!
Who am I?” or Who I am? 🧐 Beautiful photography David such rich palettes 💙 heartfelt ☺️👌🙏 thanks for sharing ~ smiles Hedy
i don’t know who
we are
but i’m happy
we’re here, hedy!
wishing you happiness 🙂
Wishing you a happy day 🤗
Very nice David. 🙂
thank you burningheart!
may you be happy 🙂
What an amazing post! Fascinated me. I have already felt that I was in there, in this amazing ambience… Thank you dear David, reading you is another meaningful touches for me. Love, nia
thank you dear nia
for being here in this vast
atmospheric ambience
with me and everything
else in the universe 🙂
The pictures are really amazing.
makes me happy that you like them, dear rabirius!
i was quite impressed with what my camera
came out with, also!
may your day be well, david 🙂
Thank you for the beautiful poems and images and the quote. We are a part of the Universe indeed. Both science and religion agree on that.
I love August, the month of butterflies and star gazing 🙂
wonderful finding your kind words down here, inese
after joyful time dwelling up above
with stars & butterflies!
wishing you continued joy
here on this precious planet, david 🙂
Thank you so much, David! Hope your day is amazing.
One of your best! The universe amazes me. All that space, time, energy, particles, planets, asteroids, nebulae, and “Hello.” Is anyone out there? We sit on the edge of the Milky Way, and at least we have chocolate.
thank you for your bright presence, dear susan!
isn’t it amazing our existence as children of the sun
to be among countless stars of the cosmos?
and having chocolate does make it
all the more amazing!
if one of my best, then perhaps it could be
my last, so as to go out on top!
may your day be well, david 🙂
Looking up at the night sky I feel small yet protected and know in my heart there is a purpose and so much more. Sending you love and calm days and nights David.
smiling to you presence
up here in the solar system, dear Michele!
may you be happy 🙂
Beautiful sky pictures.
smiling to your
kindness, dear A 🙂
Beautiful images David, there’s so much warmth and light in those stars. Wishing you clear skies too 🙂
yes, dear one!
clarity for all
for seeing what
we are inter
connected with 🙂
🙂🙋♀️
wonderful astro shots!
thank you, dear dune mouse 🙂
Beautiful 🙂
the stars & I
thank you 🙂
Stunning images of the vast heavens and the soft glow of daybreak, David. And your reflections always so grounding in the essence of who we are. I leave here calmer and fuller than when I arrived… Thank you, my friend!
Peace
Michael
smiling to your calmness, dear Michael!
knowing you are here in the universe
makes me happy 🙂
SOOOO very beautiful. Thank You!!! 🙂
smiling to your kindness, dear one 🙂
I’m delighted to have come by to visit here tonight! I have my popcorn and letting any and all dilemmas work themselves out, like the way your camera efficiently recorded this beautiful spread of canopy. I am full of delight. Happy for your words and reflections. I am feeling i am in the presence of some great company, while we enjoy the depth and the reach of “the show.”
amazing how the universe has ways
to help sort & prioritize, dear Ka!
i’m now going out for some popcorn to eat later
knowing there’s a special star in the universe
named Ka makes me happy 🙂
Nothing like contemplating infinity to put personal challenges into perspective. Wishing you clear skies as well, David. Hope you are well. These images are simply spectacular.
thank you for kindly contemplating the universe with me, dear JD!
knowing you are there makes me feel well & happy 🙂
May the best blessings be with you, David.
thank you for kindly
being with me, inese
here in the stars 🙂
So beautiful 💕
VERY impressive photography, David! I will first reflect in/on the images/imagery and then return to comment further…
I have no words to add, David. I enjoyed the words I read and the contemplation that the images brought – thank you! 🙂