Last week I drove out past the city lights to watch a meteor shower with a couple of friends. We brought blankets, terrible snacks, and way too many expectations. Here's what stuck with me.

1. Waiting is part of the show

You don't get a meteor every ten seconds. Sometimes you wait ten minutes for one streak of light. Turns out that's fine — the waiting is where the conversation happens.

2. You have to let your eyes adjust

It takes about twenty minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to the dark. Check your phone once and you're starting over. A decent metaphor for focus in general.

3. Looking up is a full-body activity

Your neck will hate you. Bring a blanket, lie flat, save yourself the ache.

4. The best moments are the ones you almost miss

The brightest meteor of the night happened while I was mid-sentence, looking at my friend instead of the sky. I caught it out of the corner of my eye. Presence pays off in strange corners.

5. It's better shared

A meteor shower alone is nice. A meteor shower with people who gasp at the same moment you do is something else entirely.

#space#patience#night-sky