Our natural world has always been an ordinary part of our lives. There are some characteristics of our environment that we have not yet fully understood, but have learned to appreciate and live with.
One, for which decades of study has yielded no conclusive information, is outer space. Although astronauts and satellites have explored every accessible area outside of our planet, we cannot, at least within the next few years, provide definite answers and information about what exists there.
Nevertheless, some of the most basic scientific information we receive in classrooms at a young age begins with the celestial bodies. We learn about the shape and position of the earth, the moon, the sun and all the other planets in our solar system. Eventually, when we look up into the night sky and are able to identify the basics, for instance, the moon in its different phases, we leave behind the wonders of outer space and move on to the other aspects of science.
Most young people find themselves performing exceedingly well in at least one area of their lives. They then spend most of their time practising and developing that particular skill. Eventually, they attain perfection, and this very skill becomes part of their identities. They change from a learner or a student into a singer, a writer, an athlete or more. From a young age, we are groomed to find a single area to focus on.
When we find ourselves facing a choice between one of two paths with no option to choose both, there is one important question that may arise. Is excellence more valuable than versatility?
Recently, I discovered that there are around 15 constellations in the night sky that are visible to people who live near the equator. However, for those who have not carefully studied these constellations and memorised their patterns, the stars would seem nothing more than they are – tiny specks in the sky. They would not be able to see the diamond fishes or glittering lions that hide in plain sight.
We spend the majority of our childhood studying the things that seem both more relevant and more visible. We learn of the earth and the other planets. We learn only of how the sun and the moon affect our lives. So, when we look at the sky, we forget about the stars and the constellations, the comets or meteors because we are much too enthralled by the brighter lights.
We are often taught to believe that it is worse to be a jack-of-all-trades than to be a master of one. Because of this, we limit our abilities and overlook opportunities. The moon is brighter to us than the stars, but the light that seems so bright is simply sunlight reflecting off of its surface. On the other hand, stars produce their own light, but are overshadowed by the moon simply because they are farther away.
When we focus on one skill or one aspect of our lives without taking the time to try new things or experiment with new hobbies, we stop ourselves from reaching our maximum potential. Although we may have to try harder to do some things because they may not come naturally to us, we can still make great achievements in the area. In the journey of life, excellence is extremely important, but versatility is more useful. So, being a jack-of-all-trades might just be the key to finding your way to the stars.