I like to feel small sometimes.
Traveling is one of the best ways to remind yourself that the universe is so much bigger than you; I firmly believe it's an admonition that we could all use more often. @aggroed and I were having a discussion about this yesterday, and it crossed my mind again this morning as I was sorting through photos looking for something to go with the mindfulness I am working on cultivating today. Whether you believe we're all an ephemeral experiment in advanced AI simulation, or just motes of star dust alighting on this cosmic plane, crisscrossing time, remember there is always more. More than you can see, more than you can feel, more life, and more wonder.
Imagine being here with me, for a second.
Often, for the sake of beautiful composition, I will correct the curve of the earth if it is captured, to highlight an interesting feature in the landscape, and create planes of view for the eye to follow. But here, something about standing with my toes over the cliffs on the edge of the world, watching it curve away into a potential forever — that, to me, is the stunning focal point of these vistas from the bluffs of Ireland. An ocean of possibilities... a vast blue that is both calm and tumultuous and larger by far than our minds and eyes can comprehend.
If you turn around, the strange and beautiful Céide reception center looms behind you, monolithic and unnatural. It's the perfect spot to practice feeling tiny. If you ever get to Ireland, drive the winding coast alongside the seemingly never ending expanse, and stop in the shadow of a gleaming pyramid to take it all in. I found myself lost in time, with the breeze in my hair and the sun on my face; the ageless ocean, ancient ruins, futuristic palace of glass, vehicles rocketing past with no concept of the incredible juxtaposition waiting there in the fields.
I hope you get a chance to get lost soon, too.
All of these photos are my own, taken on my travels all over this pretty blue marble of ours.
I hope you like them. 🌶️
