My Practically Perfect Life

Writing about the northern lights have been on my mind lately but especially last night and this morning. For one, the analogy I had in my head has made even more sense the past few days, plus the fact that most of the states were able to see them last night makes me feel like it’s time. Don’t get excited, I’m not saying this is going to be the most profound work of writing you have ever read! It is still me writing it! But sometimes things have to stew in your head until you are ready to serve it up right! So, here goes!

Aurora Borealis, or northern lights as most people call them, are a phenomenon that is known around the world. They are a breathtaking display of colorful lights that dance across the sky. But do people actually know what causes this marvel? I believe with so many things in life people just know that it happens and they don’t wonder or worry why. Well, I am not that type of person! I like to try and understand why things happen. I often am let down that I will not be given an answer and that is ok, but if I am able to have the slightest bit of comprehension of the things going on in the world around me it helps to understand more about myself.

What causes this phenomenon? Well let’s get a bit scientific. The sun will blast charged particles, also known as electrons and protons, into space. This is called the solar wind. The solar wind is redirected around the planet due to an invisible shield that is formed by earth’s magnetic field. As the earth’s magnetic field protects us from the solar wind, the magnetic field lines are dragged and stretched. They will snap back like a rubber band thus launching charged particles down towards the earth’s surface along those magnetic field lines. The lights will occur when those charged particles that are launched along the magnetic field then collide with gasses that are in the earth’s upper atmosphere. When these collisions happen they produce tiny flashes that fill the sky with colorful lights.

So, does knowing how this happens make it any more spectacular? Not really. It might even be more dreamy to think that they happen because of magic, or just because. Like a lot of things in life things just happen. Yes there are reasons, but some of the reasons don’t make these things justifiable. If something happens because someone else decided to cause these actions then how does knowing the source help any? Hell if I know. Maybe knowing that it is out of your control can help minimize the amount of stress or pain that it causes. Having someone or something to blame can be a way of letting go of a smidge of that frustration.

Now I am not saying that blaming all of your problems on someone else is what you should do. Not at all, I believe if your issues are your fault then you need to take responsibility for them. But, when you get a huge pile of shit thrown in your lap because someone else decided that’s where it needed to sit, then you have to figure out how to brush that shit off and know that it isn’t your fault. What the hell does this have to do with the northern lights you ask? Well, try to think of your stress and issues as the solar wind. It is inevitable, it’s out there, you have to figure out what to do with it. Well, you my friend are the earth. And to protect yourself from that solar wind (assholes in the wild) you have a magnetic field that act as the rubber in the good old fashioned come back “I’m rubber and you’re glue”. So that solar wind/stress bounces back into the atmosphere. Now, here is the best part! You can just bounce the bs back out and away from you, or…you can use your atmospheric gasses to collide with it and create something beautiful. Like the northern lights. I get that some things won’t be able to turn into glorious scenes in the sky. But why not try? Because sometimes the ugliest of situations turn into the most amazing outcomes. Big ugly situations in life tend to get worse before they get better, but don’t they usually get better? I know that is all in how you look at things. Ya know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But how much better would your life be if you started trying to see things in a better light? Instead of consuming yourself with the negative that life throws at you, fart on it and make it sparkle!

Ok, you know I had to throw in a little humor with the farting part. But seriously? How many times in your life has something bad come along and you have just thought (insert fart noise here) on it and let’s move on? Well I know I do!! So I suggest you try the same! Basically I am saying this. Deal with the things that are brought to you, but don’t let them take over your soul. Burdens are heavy and hard to carry alone, so try and find a way to alleviate the heaviness. If you can’t think of ways to do so ask me. I am full of amazing ideas!! At least I think I am! Find yourself a friend that will listen. And again, if you don’t have one then call me! Everyone needs someone in their life to be a motivational “something”. We all have our talents and various skills. How beautiful would the world be if we were able to share those with each other?

“Then that’s what the Northern Lights are, all the lives we are not living” -Adi Alsaid

“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one” -Hans Selye

“Out of ugly, make something beautiful” -Johnny Weir