"The amazing thing is that every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. You couldn't be here if stars hadn't exploded, because the elements - the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, all the things that matter for evolution - weren't created at the beginning of time. They were created in the nuclear furnaces of stars, and the only way they could get into your body is if those stars were kind enough to explode. So, forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today."

~ Lawrence M. Krauss, A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing 

In the vast emptiness of darkness,

Stars are being born and are burning out;

Galaxies expand, into what I have no idea, 

And dark matter fills the infinite space

That has no bounds and no limits.

In the middle of all this, I stand 

In a single moment and know how small I am.

A group of atoms, the size of nothing in comparison.

I am the observer of the play on a tiny stage.

The onlooker who watches the painting

Of a picture that few stop to see.

The listener of a song where I hear only a fraction 

Of a fraction of a note in a song that will be forever sung

And that has been being sung for eternity upon eternity,

Before I knew breath and sound.

I am but dust, stardust, a breath of a life, smoke 

Rising into oblivion, here then gone as quickly.

Under all of this, I take out the trash.

~ Eric Overby, Senses

Difficult roads can lead you to beautiful destinations; and the beauty of humanity is in our shared mutuality and intrinsic reciprocity, you are never alone in your difficulty, we are all made of the same stardust! The essence of spirituality and the bigger picture is to uncover who you truly are and share in that hard-won individuality; to be a force of good aligning with your gifts, talents and special qualities that we all grow from. We can transmute and transition every seemingly negative thought, emotion, and circumstance for our greater good and those around us.

~ Christine Evangelou, Stardust and Star Jumps: A Motivational Guide to Help You Reach Toward Your Dreams, Goals, and Life Purpose

The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.

~ T.H. White, The Once and Future King 

"The central task of the religious community is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all. There is a connectedness, a relationship discovered amid the particulars of our own lives and the lives of others. Once felt, it inspires us to act for justice.

It is the church that assures us that we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community. The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed."

~ Mark Morrison-Reed

Candle in a person's hand

Within each of our hearts there is a most glorious light.

Go forth, and let its spark help you understand what troubles both you and others;

Go forth, and let its light of reason be a guide in your decisions;

Go forth, and bring its ray of hope to those in need of help in both body and spirit, that they may find healing;

Go forth, and fan the flames of passion to help heal our world;

Go forth, and spread the warm glow of love, pushing back the darkness of the world;

Go forth, and share your glorious light with the world.

~ James Morison