It’s March, and for a few months longer on the northern hemisphere, until dimmed by the long summer days, the stars will strew the night sky.
This is a good time of year to head out with your child after nightfall, to introduce her to the North Star, this fixed axis point on the firmament around which all else moves.
There’s something magical, perhaps reassuring, in knowing there’s a single star that holds steady, despite all else that’s in never-ending movement, commotion, flux. It helps orient us to life, and to time (the old one’s knew to tell time by the position of the Little Dipper on the night sky).
So as you watch the North Star among the constellations, consider this: What are some fixed values in your family that guide you through the dark times, help you navigate the challenges? What is a constant in your child’s otherwise changing life?
Ask the star if you’re unsure. Pay attention and wait for the response. It may reveal some treasured insights. And your child may surprise you too.