Within the Sun’s Reach

Earlier this week we awakened to snow blanketing the ground. After days of rain, sleet, slippery streets, and melting, the snow is almost gone. While portions of lawns peek out beneath small mounds of snow, other areas remain bare. Attribute the difference to the sun shining here, and not there. It sounds mundane, but you might be amazed by what else the sun can do. Take a look:

                                         http://youtu.be/N5utQxtma2U

 

Although I’ve read how the Northern Lights appear in Alaska, Iceland, Norway, and even in parts of the Midwestern United States, I’ve never reflected on the connection between the Lights and the sun’s solar flares. We’re more likely to envision the distant sun offering the warmth we crave in the winter and the intense heat we shun in the summer. The video showed how there’s more to the relationship than that. Solar flares stretching out from the sun resemble cosmic arms embracing the earth. The connection results in the exhilarating beauty displayed by the Northern Lights. Have you heard or experienced anything that seemed commonplace on the surface, but inspired you or melted your heart?       

 

 

Don’t Go Changing To Try and Please Me

Last week my husband and I talked with our kids about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The current list, established in about 600 A.D., identifies fascinating man-made treasures including an Egyptian pyramid, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria and several other ancient statues and buildings from around the world. Invasions and natural disasters have destroyed six of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Since only the pyramid still exists today, various people and organizations attempt to modernize the list. Currently several updated Wonders of the World lists exist but the most recognized one includes a Mexican pyramid called Chichen Itza, Christ, the Redeemer, which is an enormous Brazilian statue and Petra, an ancient city in Jordan.      

One of my favorites, the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights appears on the Seven Natural Wonders of the World list. This mesmerizing curtain of color ripples across the sky in Alaska during our fall and spring seasons. Words fail to describe this natural phenomenon. Take a look at it in this video:

Apparently, earth has an ample supply of wonders. As a society, we constantly toss aside the old in favor of the new, and seek the latest version or model, sometimes with unfavorable results. In the June 3 post, And Then We Will Change, I half-celebrate change as Sarah Vaughn performs a moving rendition of the song, Everything Must Change. The part-time realist in me recognizes that progress can be good, but the part-time idealist in me sometimes longs for an unchanging world.

What things, people or places are you glad don’t or won’t change?