On April 8, 2024, a unique phenomenon known as the Great North American Eclipse moved across North America, passing from Mexico, across the U.S. from Texas to Maine up through to Eastern Canada. For 4 minutes, the moon passed between the Earth and Sun, obscuring the sun, blocking direct sunlight and creating a beautiful outer atmosphere, the brilliant corona. This was the only solar eclipse in the 21st century visible on 3 continents. Another such exciting light-less show won’t be until 2044. People travelled far and wide to be in the best position to see the totality. Governors in Texas and Arkansas each declared a preemptive state of emergency citing potential transportation issues.
To me, what was the most exciting aspect of April 8th, is that for four minutes, along the path of this celestial phenomenon, people got together and looked up. Yes, it is one simple action – to look up, away from one’s cell phone, one’s work, one’s trials and tribulations, opinions and politics, to witness the simple beauty of nature in harmony. For four minutes, those who participated from Mazatlán to Maine to Montreal experienced not just a ‘cosmic coincidence’, as named by the New York Times, but four minutes of human harmony. We were experiencing the much-needed human attributes that cannot, I repeat, cannot, be replaced by AI or any technology. We experienced the joy of curiosity, the thrill of discovery, the cohesive sensation of human alignment. For four minutes we all got along and shared beauty, excitement and community.
Will it take another solar eclipse to reinvigorate those four minutes, or can we refresh our culture to spot today’s conflicts for what they are – distractions often caused by those who are likely profiting from the division. Can we all share in others’ curiosity and novel discoveries without the ingrained reaction to criticize or ignore? Yes. If we just look up.
Having just returned from Big Path Capital’s MO Summit in Austin, Texas, for many more than four minutes, an inspired and inspiring group of high impact founders, CEO’s, investors and aligned companies openly shared strategies and solutions to envision a world where business can leverage the inherent link between nature, social and financial capital, eclipsing older systems and thought. Yes, they were all looking up, and looking out- for the companies, their teams, their contributions to society and the economy. I left feeling invigorated and inspired, full of hope for all that lies ahead. Knowing that together, we can all leave things better than we found them. Just like the eclipse left all of us.
Excitement awaits. Look up. Look out.
Gillian