To the Stars

Ever since I was a kid I've always looked up to the stars. I look up in amazement, curiosity, and with a feeling of motivation. The scale of the universe has never ceased to fill me with awe. Doesn't it ever make me feel insignificant? On the contrary; the sea of stars inspires me.

When I was little, my parents put adhesive, glow-in-the-dark star shapes all over my ceiling so when I wasn't outside looking up at them, I always could in my own bed. As I lie here in the same bed looking up at the same stars I looked at when I was 8 years old, I'm reminded of who I was as a kid. I was shy, but I was kind and I was curious above all else. I didn't know my place in the world, and quite frankly I'm still not completely sure, but I knew who I was at the time and I couldn't stop looking up. I think about that little boy and reflect on who I was at different stages of my life often.

I often wonder if I met past versions of myself if we'd get along. Perhaps it's a scenario more worthy of someone older, but I believe I've gone through many transitions in life. I haven't always been sure who I am at every stage, and I think part of that is because who I am is always evolving. However, I've noticed at every stage in life I've had some of the same characteristics: the kindness and empathy, curiosity to discover something new, and love for each and every life I felt as a kid have all carried on with me. Even though there was a long period of my life when I wasn't proud of how I was doing, I think it's an accomplishment that all versions of myself would be able to get along just fine if they were all in the same room.

As I lie here staring at the stars, thinking about that boy who did the same thing all those years ago, I can't help but feel pride in my journey. The road ahead is uncertain, but if there's one thing I do know it's that the burning fire I felt when I was younger is back. I wonder where I will be in life when I look at the same stats 10 years from now.

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