“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently. Well, when you look into infinity, you realize that there are more important things than what people do all day.”

“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently. Well, when you look into infinity, you realize that there are more important things than what people do all day.”

~ Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

As I walk up the winding path on my way home from our nightly meeting, a rush of cold air makes me wrap myself up in a blanket.

It’s dark, a new moon tonight, and I didn’t bring a flashlight.

I am now so used to this path I could close my eyes altogether and arrive home safely, like a bird migrating back to its familiar home.

Arriving at the top of the hill, my favourite sight awaits me. I look up and see millions of flickering lights. In this clearing, the sky opens up so you can gaze for miles and miles. I have never seen so many stars in my life. They cover the mountains with a soft glow that only an adjusted eye can see.

It is windy up here, which reminds me just how powerful and magnificent this earth really is. I pause for a few minutes, taking one last deep breath of the cool air and smile to myself. My heart is at peace as I arrive to my doorstep.

This nightly routine provides me with appreciation, gratitude, inspiration, awe, trust, love, and happiness—without fail, each and every night.

If I could recommend anything to put our lives in perspective, I would say “look up at the stars each night.” They have impacted me in the most spiritual, down-to-earth, grassroots way, and for that reason I have compiled a list of 10 ways the stars have helped me (with quotes!), after looking at them each night.

1. They remind us what we’re made of.

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” ~ Carl Sagan

They are a part of us, just as we are a part of them. They have taught me what I have often tried to find outside of myself have been inside me all along: I am my own guiding light.

I have the courage to fight for what I believe in and live my life with love.

I am forever choosing to channel light.

2. We are not alone.

“Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you…And so will I.” ~ Mufasa

God looks over us, the universe supports us and the angels protect us. Whatever we may believe in, we are being looked after. It is reassuring to know that wherever we may go or whatever we may do, there is something out there.

In the past I believed that was an independent woman who did everything for herself—but the reality is that I could never have gotten where I am without the people in my life. No one has gotten to their current state by themselves without the impact of others. We must thank our teachers: friends and “enemies,” for they are the ones who have helped us grow the most.

3. Seek solitude in nature whenever you can.

“Seek solitude in nature and your deepest heart will become clear.” ~ Eoin Finn

Watching the stars brings me back into my heart centre. Feeling the earth under my feet, the wind in my hair and the openness of my heart makes me want to dance in the moonlight and sit in peace with myself. I feel alive with the stars.

4. Make peace with the unknown.

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” ~ Vincent van Gogh

The stars are so far away from Earth. Our Universe is large. The Sun is a star. These are things we know, but most of the technical scientific aspects (such as how much a star weighs, how hot a star is, or how fast a star travels), are not common knowledge. We may be interested, but at some point or another we have to learn to be satisfied with not knowing.

The unknown can be scary, but it can also be liberating. In reality we do not have to know anything. We can give ourselves permission to just be.

Just like that star in the sky, we have nothing to prove to anyone.

5. Kiss under the stars. Be present. Hold someone. Share this human experience.

“Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: — you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.” ~ e.e. cummings

The night sky has brought me together with a love on many, many occasions. The intimacy and closeness I have experienced together with a partner has always been heightened under the stars. Sharing a moment in peace, in silence, in the open air—choosing to let our bodies lead in the cloak of darkness and twinkling lights—we might as well call this pure magic.

6. Trust in the universe. Do not be scared to walk in the dark.

“I like the night. Without the dark, we’d never see the stars.” ~ Stephenie Meyer, Twilight 

I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe in having faith in ourselves and in the universe. We have an opportunity to grow in every situation we encounter. Many times in my life I have forgotten my flashlight, ending up lost in the woods because I stupidly left in a rush, flashlight-less, out the door. I end up having to walk home in the dark, my only guide the flickering light above me. It is scary, but I always learn a lesson. I become stronger because of it. I now embrace the darkness, as I know I can trust it to teach me.

7. Stars offer a different perspective on life.

“When we are chafed and fretted by small cares, a look at the stars will show us the littleness of our own interests.” ~ Maria Mitchell

When I look up, I am reminded that I am not my problems. I give gratitude for my life and all I have become. We are so small, but oh darling, are we ever big. We have the power to change, and love, and create, and hope, and dream. Our life was meant to give love. That is all that truly matters.

Our problems are very small, and our hearts very big.

8. Count your blessing like you count the stars.

“Each night the moon kisses secretly the lover who counts the stars.” ~ Rumi

The day I started to give gratitude and count my blessings was the day I truly started to live. I challenge you to start with stating—out loud—just one thing you are grateful for, at the end of the day. Then the next day add another thing you are grateful for. Then the next day, one more, and on it goes.

Observe how it affects your outlook on life until you are able to match your number of blessings with the amount of stars.

9. Shine bright.

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Life may get us down sometimes. Often, others may react poorly to our growth or not want us to change. I’ve seen it again and again, and the only way to overcome it is to shine bright. Shine as bright as you possibly can on everyone and anyone. Show the sleeping souls that they don’t have to be scared.

Choose love and shine, shine, shine.

10. We are impermanent.

“…nothing wonderful lasted forever. Joy was as fleeting as a shooting star that crossed the evening sky, ready to blink out at any moment.” ~ Nicholas Sparks

Just like the stars in our universe, nothing lasts forever. It brings both relief and possible nostalgia, but once we can accept the beauty of this hard truth of life, we can finally relax and let our lives flow as they should.

When I am in need of the stars but cannot get to them, I settle for beautiful music. Particularly, songs about our universe and planets. Listening to bands like Sleeping At Last brings peace to my searching soul.

Live where you can see the stars—or if you can’t, find a place where you can.

Make it a ritual—your heart will thank you.

(PS: Here’s a beautiful song that helps me settle into sleep.)

Author: Pauline Holden

Image: PresidentLeslieKnope on Imgur

Editor: Renée Picard