Feeling small?

I recently read that the sun occupies 99.97% of the total mass of the solar system including all the planets, the asteroids etc.

That makes the sun pretty large, but it also makes us pretty small. How small are we?

Well...not only is the earth a relatively small planet compared to the gas giants which easily account for the bulk of that 0.03 percent of mass aside from the sun...we live on a planet that, at 8000 miles give or take across, all known life exists within a scant 30 mile "film" on the outer edge of the planet's surface. That means, if the earth was a 4" ball, the atmosphere would be 0.001 centimeters thick.

Of course, we spend most of our time in a very thin layer of the total 40-50,000 feet of atmosphere we could occupy, all our cities, buildings, grand palaces, humble homes exist well within a 1-2 mile thick layer. That makes us inconceivably insignificant even within our Solar System, as an entire species. That said, of course, there are 6 billion of us spread out in this tiny layer of air and water, and so every individual is ridiculously insignificant.

Of course, if the earth is 4 billion years old, our entire recorded history of 6-10,000 years is also incredibly insignificant, and how much less significant our individual lives of 50-100 odd years.

I like to remind myself of these things when lifes problems and pressures are on, and the rat race is closing in. We are very privileged to have our short, insignificant lives, and we should live them to the fullest potential possible, and not waste time worrying about or regretting things. Don't waste time being negative, holding a grudge, or being a jerk. Try to have a great time and help others have make the most of their tiny time here as well.

Peace.