Beyond “I” And “Me”

How small we are compared to the vastness of the universe.

I’m on a weekend getaway to the famous Mount Bromo in Surabaya, Indonesia—a live volcano. Here at the sunrise point, I’m one of thousands waiting to glimpse the splendor of the early morning sun, rising against the backdrop of Mount Bromo.

As I type this, I’m struck by the contrast. We are but a speck in the universe’s grand play, yet we often live under the illusion that everything revolves around us. Looking out at this vastness, I realize how narrow my worldview can be—caught up in “I” and “me.”

Perhaps this is why the wise urge us to travel and experience nature—to broaden our vision and imagination. Our mind is the source of all imagination, and it can be expansive or restricted.

Sometimes, reconnecting with nature is what we need to unlock new perspectives, to comprehend the incredible odds that allowed me to be born human, with a mind that can appreciate this privilege.

In the lottery of evolution and life, I am already a winner. All I can do is bow my head in reverence and gratitude for this rare gift.