Do You Know Why You Can See Them??

I crawled into my sleeping bag, pulled the blanket on top of me, using a portion of it to cushion my head, and stared up into the heavens.

40 years ago, it wasn’t common to see satellites. You had to stare up into the sky, watching for the “moving star”, hoping you would be lucky enough to catch sight of one.

Consider the fact that there were only 145 active satellites in 1982 (when I was perched on Eagle Rock).

Today? There are over 11,000! Yep. You read that right. It’s getting pretty crowded up there!

I spent the night watching for satellites - being treated to a handful of “shooting stars” in addition. The Milky Way was glowing that night. It was glorious! I don’t remember how many satellites I saw, but it wasn’t that many. Still, each one was an exciting discovery.

Now, when I am in my hot tub in the morning gazing up at the sky, satellites are everywhere. That does not, however, tell you why you can see them.

I finally thought to ask that question one morning, so I decided to do some research.

You can see satellites because they are high enough above the earth (where you are sitting in darkness) to catch the reflection of the sun.

WOW!

Satellites don’t produce their own light: The light you see is sunlight bouncing off the satellite’s surface, particularly its solar panels. You see them for a few hours after sunset and a few hours before sunrise - that’s when they will catch the reflection of the sun.

Cool! I love astronomy (the lessons that the sky reveals). It’s more than that to me, though.

As I pondered that knowledge the next morning, something struck me. There are so many crazy things going on in our world right now – really, throughout all of history. There is so much darkness. So many people hurting. Far too many people feeling they are wrapped in a darkness they can’t escape.

The question exploded in my mind...

How do I get high enough above the darkness to catch the light???

I’ve been pondering this for a while now. I am of the opinion that just about everything in our lives holds a lesson. It’s been fun to explore this...

Here’s some “Science Speak”:

Satellites get high enough to catch the sun’s rays by being launched into specific orbits by using a powerful rocket to give them initial speed. Once in orbit, gravity and the satellite’s forward momentum keep it moving around Earth at a high enough altitude to be above the dense part of the atmosphere. This allows them to access consistent sunlight and avoid atmospheric drag, with a satellite’s onboard propulsion systems used for “station keeping” to maintain its orbit and position.

Okay, that is the scientific explanation. How does that apply to my life?

To YOUR life?

** Launching into orbit: A rocket provides the initial high speed and altitude to get the satellite into space.

How do I get high enough above the darkness to bask in the light?

How do YOU get high enough above the darkness to bask in the light?

What is my rocket? Several things, I suppose:

• I spend a lot of time alone – Listening. What do I listen to? Some call it God. Some call it the Universe. Some call it Mother Nature. Others will have a different name. I don’t believe what you call it matters – the fact that you quiet your mind and heart enough to hear from something much bigger than you are is what matters.

• I am constantly learning from people who live at a level higher than most mere mortals. I research their lives. I learn from them. I am challenged by them. I am motivated and inspired by them. I learn how they did things that reflected the light when their world was encased in darkness. I’ve been doing this for decades. I will never stop! Every person I learn about makes me a better person.

• But ultimately… my rocket is my CHOICE. I believe I can CHOOSE to rise above the darkness. I believe I can CHOOSE to live a life that reflects the sun.

Even as I write this, I realize how vague it sounds. I hear your voice. Yeah, right Ginny. Listen. Learn. Choose. What am I supposed to DO?

The truth is that there isn’t a simple formula that will work for everyone. There isn’t a 12-step plan that you can follow for guaranteed results. I wish it was that simple. It’s not.

I can only tell you what I do. Every morning, whether I am in my hot tub (yeah, I know most of you don’t have that!), sitting outside (perhaps you’ll stare out a window or into a fireplace), or writing in my journal, I speak what I call “My Truths”.

God, thank you for filling me with your love, and your light, and your life. With your wisdom and with your power. With truth and with joy. With ultimate health and with clarity of mind.

I pray that you will live through me. Love through me. Write through me. Speak through me. Create through me. Reach the world through me. And change lives through me.

Every single day, I CHOOSE to propel myself above the darkness and lift high enough to find the light. I CHOOSE to lift high enough that I can be a “satellite” – a reflection of light for others to see and be inspired by.

You are welcome to share “My Truths” or create ones of your own.

Here’s the thing, though… It’s not enough to speak them once.

You have to CHOOSE on a daily basis.

Or hourly… whatever you need to rocket yourself out of your own darkness.

Another scientific fact:

• Maintaining orbit: Even in orbit, satellites can lose altitude due to the thin atmospheric drag in low Earth orbit (LEO) and need periodic boosts from their own propulsion to stay in place.

Yep. You can start a freefall back to the darkness unless you CHOOSE to stay high enough to live in the light.

That’s why you have to CHOOSE on a DAILY BASIS. Why you have to ignite your rocket on a daily basis.

We all know how easy it is to be sucked back into the hard things in life. Sucked back into inactivity. Sucked back into depression. Sucked back into the belief that your life will never be different than what it is. Sucked back into the darkness you see everywhere.

I hear from so many people who have lost hope. It breaks my heart. HOPE IS REAL. It is there for you.

Repeat after me…

God, thank you for filling me with your love, and your light, and your life. With your wisdom and with your power. With truth and with joy. With ultimate health and with clarity of mind.

I pray that you will live through me. Love through me. Create through me. Reach the world through me. And change lives through me.

Repeat it… Today. Tomorrow. The next day. The next day. And with every day that follows.

Your life will change only by you choosing to ignite your rocket and propel yourself above the darkness – becoming a satellite that will reflect the light of the sun!

****************************

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