Sometimes the soul needs those familiar things. Those things which are uniquely special to you. Things which have been with you through thick and thin. Things which will grow old with you. Things which have become a part of you.

Last night I just needed some of that.

I picked out two books. One from each of my two favourite authors. Randomly opened the books somewhere in the middle – and read.

The first author was Carl Sagan. A brilliant mind, a free thinker, a modern day philosopher and someone who understood the true potential the human race has to offer. He could bring science to life. I would listen to his wonderful, poetic voice and he made me hopeful for the future. He made me dream big.

He is greatly missed.

Yesterday (9th November) was his birthday. Now the 9th November is the annual celebrate Carl Sagan day. I know I’m late but we can always bend the fabric of time just a little.

So while I read a few pages of his novel Contact and watch an episode of Cosmos, I will leave you with a few of his quotes.

“For small creatures such as we the vastness is only bearable through love.”

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality, it is a profound source of spirituality”

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere.”

“It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English – up to fifty words used in correct context – no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese.”

“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.”

“Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.”

“I have a foreboding of an America in my children’s or grandchildren’s time—when the United States is a service and information economy; when nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues; when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or knowledgeably question those in authority; when, clutching our crystals and nervously consulting our horoscopes, our critical faculties in decline, unable to distinguish between what feels good and what’s true, we slide, almost without noticing, back into superstition and darkness.”

So Carl was the first author can you guess the second. I will celebrate the other wonderful author in another post. As a clue his International Day is the 8th April.

62 thoughts on “International Day”

  5. “We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” How apropos for today, as well. I’ve never seen so many people spewing “scientific facts” and being so wrong.

    “…when the United States is a service and information economy…” Done. “…when nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries…” Done. “…when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few…” Done. “…no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues…” Done on BOTH sides. “…when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or knowledgeably question those in authority…” Happening right now. “…unable to distinguish between what feels good and what’s true…” Happening now. “…we slide, almost without noticing, back into superstition and darkness.” Happening now.

    Here’s another one I like: “I’m not sure what a socialist is. But, I believe the government has a responsibility to care for the people… I’m talking about making the people self-reliant.” He would spin in his grave if he knew just how much our education system has been destroyed and how corrupt our elections have become.

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      10. You don’t actually learn it, from my experience, Gary, but ask Claire. I discovered I could talk telepathically in my late teens. Actually even earlier when I was able to talk to horses. But all the authorities in my life told me that was impossible. I lost the ability because I believed them. 10 years later I found I could do it with certain people, but not most. No one can tell me different.

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      12. Most people are not aware it is there to be used. And either way, knowing or not, their minds are closed to the possibility.
        One might call it human nature, but I think it is the nature of humanity to be able to use it if they knew they could.
        Remember what I said about talking to horses, I succumbed to the pressure of being told that was insanity. Especially as a young person, no one wants to be called crazy.

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