Have you ever had those moments where you meet someone randomly, realize they went to the same college you did only 10 years prior, and actually started the club you became president of your senior year?

After these chance occurrences happen, it’s likely the thought “Wow…it’s a small world” passed through your mind. As you begin to grow your network of people, you will experience more and more occurrences like this one.

Have you ever had those moments where you feel like life is caving in on you? Is everything going wrong in your world? And in an effort to bring yourself some perspective, you think about just how large the world is, how ginormous the universe is, and how minuscule your problems really are in the grand scheme of things.

One day, a few months ago, I experienced both of these perspectives within a five-minute span of time. My immediate reaction was that both of these experiences, at surface level, seem to contradict. But upon further contemplation, I realized that they are deeply intertwined and serve to explain our connectedness in the world and our need for perspective.

Understanding Our Interconnectedness

The world is small, but the universe is large. The former allows you perspective on the interconnectedness of all things, the latter on the scale of all things.

When you have the perspective that the world is small, you understand that the actions you take will have an impact on those around you. You understand that you are connected to everyone on earth by six degrees of separation, maybe even less with social media. You understand that you play a certain role in the lives of those around you, whether big or small.

To grasp our connection to society is to grasp a broader perspective on life. We are social creatures, and our lives are deeply intertwined with the lives of others. Our actions and decisions have a ripple effect on those around us, and our success and happiness are often influenced by the well-being of our communities. When we recognize our connection to society, we become more empathetic, compassionate, and engaged in the world around us.

Having this perspective also allows us to gain a greater appreciation for the larger forces that shape our lives. When we recognize our role in shaping the world around us, we become more empowered to make a difference and create a better future for ourselves and others.

This sort of connection to the greater people also provides comfort and support. We recognize that we are not alone in our struggles and that there are others who share our values and goals. We can draw strength from the knowledge that we are part of a larger community and that we have the support and resources we need to navigate the challenges of life. Ultimately, understanding our connection to society is essential to personal growth and development and can help us lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Having a Greater Perspective

On the contrary, understanding how large the universe is brings needed perspective in times of hardships. It helps us to grasp that whatever we are going through is small in comparison to the vastness of the universe and everything in it.

By recognizing the immense size of the universe, we are able to gain a sense of perspective on our lives and the challenges we face. This can help us feel less overwhelmed and more grounded in our place in the world.

When we acknowledge the scale of the universe, it can help us to think more critically about our place in it. When we recognize the size and complexity of the universe, it becomes clear that there is still so much to learn and discover. This can inspire us to continue exploring and expanding our knowledge, both as individuals and as a society.

Knowing and feeling that everything in the universe is connected, we can be inspired to act with greater mindfulness and intention both in our personal lives and in our efforts to address the challenges facing our world.

Real Talk

The world is small, but the universe is large.

Everything is connected and has a place and purpose.

You never know who is in your network and who can be critical to making your dreams come true.

The hardship you face today, you are not facing all alone. It may seem all-consuming but it will not drown you.

Perspective is everything, my friends. Choose wisely.