To live
The sun awoke and stretched out to touch the land. She heard the gentle good morning breath of life and began to rise. She found her purpose every day in giving life. She had spent time mastering the craft: painting herself as a picture that brings tears to the people’s eyes, creating warmth for a newborn life to thrive from, and giving herself completely to everything in hopes that they will thrive. Every time she had to leave tears were caught in her throat, for fear of not being able to help those in need. She knew the moon watched over the living while she was forced away, but she knew only she could fulfill her purpose. One day as she shone down brightly appreciating the life basking in her warmth she noticed something she had never seen before. A small plant shriveling close to death. She inches closer, pushed herself and everything she had to try to keep them alive. Instead the shriveling continued until the plant was dust.
When she was forced away, she went with a broken heart. Never before had she killed something she tried so hard to breathe life into. When she arose the next morning she inched closer and closer until she was blazing down upon life with full force. Trying and hoping for a better outcome. Instead, the people covered their faces and ran inside. The plants curled inwards away from her light. It was as though life was hiding from the sun. That day she refused to leave, pushing till the very last second, forcing all of her energy into life. It didn’t work.
The people stayed shielded and the plants slowly turned to dust. Each day she rose a little later the fear of rejection bubbling within her, and each day she left just a bit sooner than before. This cycle went on, her hours decreasing until she believed she couldn’t help life at all. One day she rose to see people. People were all over, soaking in her light with joy in their hearts. She saw the faces of plants reaching up and yearning for life from her tips.
“How can this be?” she asked herself, “The moment I leave, suddenly my light is wanted by the people.”
The sun slowly began to inch her way back. She introduced her true self back into nature slowly until joy was evident everywhere.
“When will I be enough for the people I give my all to?” she said quietly to the universe. The question pulsed in her mind for days, leaving her worn down and doubtful. One morning as she arose she heard two small voices down from Earth speaking up at her.
“I love the sun at this time of year,” the first said, “not too bright and hot, but also it’s around for just long enough during the day.”
“This is the best time of year to do anything.” The second responded. “Everything is growing and happy and bright.”
The sun froze. The sky stayed painted orange for just moments longer as she rose and processed the voices overheard. People had never wanted her to leave or stop shining her light. The sun simply needed to learn how much of herself to give. She had spent season after season figuring it out and failing, but she finally understood.
The sun still grew and learned year after year. When she gave too much she dimmed her light and gave the organisms space. When she had been away for long enough, she came back slowly, giving them time to readjust. By the end of her life, the sun had grown and breathed life into millions upon millions of beings. As the new, young star rose to take her role she placed a hand on their shoulders and left the universe with a single piece of advice.
“The world will be confused by your nature. They will try to say how you should reflect yourself upon life. They will run and hide, then be begging for you once again. Just know you will find your place and regain your place at the center of your universe.”
-commoncurtains
