My gaze wanders from the 14th floor of the Mein Schiff 6 to an approximately 300-meter-long pier connecting the cruise ships to the mainland. To be precise, I am looking at the port of Costa Maya in Mexico. Hundreds of people are making their way across the long stretch towards the land. Currently, three ships are docked in the port. The cruisers walking there look like ants. And on either side of the pier, crystal blue water sparkles. As I observe this scene, shifting my focus from the water to the seemingly small people and back to the water, something becomes clear to me. Even in a crowd of about 10,000 individuals streaming from the ships, we humans are so small, insignificant, and inconsequential compared to nature. If a few waves were to come together and pour over this pier, the people on it would be gone, and after a few seconds, nothing would testify that the alleged crown of creation walked here with flip-flops and a beach bag.
Get me right. Down there are great people. Each one has a unique story, has achieved wonderful things, and enjoys life. What becomes clear to me in this moment is how small and insignificant we are from God’s perspective compared to the vastness of nature. From up here, everything looks small and insignificant, just as Reinhard Mey sings in his German song “Über den Wolken.”
Do you sometimes take yourself too seriously? Do you believe that your worries, issues, and life’s dramas are the center of the universe? Of course, they may seem important and sometimes challenging for you in the moment. But from a higher view of the whole, “the hot summer day,” “the long journey,” or “the expensive prices” are absolutely insignificant. The world is a masterpiece, and just because we often focus on too small and unwanted things, we no longer see this entire beauty. We are so trapped in our valley of complaints that we overlook the grand things around us.
So, if life spits in your soup again, go out into nature and be fascinated by the details, the size, and the absolute beauty of the trees, water, or mountains. “But Norman, it’s really bad for me…”. Okay, let’s assume that your complaining has caught the attention of the big boss, and now he descends to you from the cloud. “I am God, the creator of all worlds and universes. I have heard you, my child. How can I help you?” What would you say to him now? Perhaps something like: “I’m so upset because I haven’t had a good mobile connection for three minutes.” How would the creator of all worlds, who took time out of his busy schedule to listen to your “problem,” react? Exactly. The eyebrows would surely go up, a pained smile would be visible, and probably he would shake his head and silently climb back into his Heaven Mobile, saying as he leaves, “Well, if you ever have real issues, feel free to contact me again. Meanwhile I’ll be busy building the next Milky Way and the thousandth universe.” And poof, he would be gone.
Think about how big your worries really are from a higher perspective. And if you realize that you’re just having a “mimimimi” moment, put on a smile and listen to the old Monty Python song “Always look at the bright side of life.”
