Asphalt Jellyfish:
Out on our rainy walk, Nutmeg and I came across this gorgeous street rainbow in the shape of a jellyfish. We stood in awe, marveling at the combination of oil and light that had coalesced into a thing of fanciful, ephemeral beauty at the exact moment and place we were walking-actually, I must admit that Nutmeg was more awed by the smells around the fire hydrant than the rainbow, but I was enchanted. Now, I do know there is hard science to explain the occurrence of things like street rainbows, but for me, it has never been about the scientific “how” as much as the metaphysical “why?” Why was my life (and Nutmeg’s) blessed by the transient glory of a full-blown asphalt jellyfish? Now, when I think of questions about the universe, science and beauty, I often turn to Einstein for an answer. In a contemplation on curiosity, awe and reality, he said:
“The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day.”
-Albert Einstein
I must always remember that just like a child creating a toy structure out of Legos or blocks, I create the structure of my own reality using the building blocks of my level of consciousness and the ability to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. I think that the mystery that is the universe leaves us lovely gifts all the time–things like a light-filled streetside rainbow and the bare branches of a tree sheltering a few tiny birds in a winter storm. It’s up to me to remember to stand in awe before them.
