there are as many universes as there are people; we take bits and pieces that we glimpse of other people, and fill in the rest with our imaginings and assumptions and expectations about them so that they each fit into our own universe, like forming constellations out of stars. the challenge is to recognize this and resist it, resist the temptation to form constellations for others and let them show you more and more of their stars until the outlines they create for themselves are visible to you, whether they fit neatly into your sky or not. there are so many more stars in the sky than our eyes can see, but sometimes if you flee distractions and artificial lights, into the desert or into a darkened room, the chances are better that the stars will fill your eyes.

I'm not saying I'm any better at letting go of my own universe than anyone else. just thinking out loud.

copyright 2003 carrie lynn king.