Inspiration
Recapturing awe in the modern age
Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before!
Captain Kirk, Star Trek (1966 - 1969)
As a kid, I was what is known as a Trekkie - a fan of the original series (TOS) of Star Trek. I owned all the episodes and watched them over and over religiously, especially entranced by the Vulcan-human Mr. Spock.
Although I was born in the ‘90s, I’ve always been drawn to the counterculture movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s. I was the odd one wearing peace signs walking the halls of middle and high school to the tune of the Beatles “All You Need is Love.”
Besides peace, love, and incredible rock music, space fever was very much part of the culture of the 1960’s. There was the first moon landing to the soundtrack of JFK’s rousing speeches of hope and looking to the heavens, when the world itself was marred by so much war, bloodshed, and hate.
To Circle the Moon
It was with this hippie in my heart that I decided to stay up late last night (1am for me here in The Netherlands) to watch the Artemis II launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Artemis II will circle the moon, going father into space than any other manned mission before it. I could not help but feel a swelling in my chest as I saw the rocket lift off and tears in my eyes when Commander Reid Wiseman reported back to Mission Control: “We have a beautiful moonrise. We’re headed right at it.”
Like in the 1960’s, yesterday’s Artemis II launch was a source of inspiration and hope of what we can do when we work together. A shining beacon rising into the sky against the dark state of the world.
Hope and Dreams of a Generation
Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson described the astronauts in terms of not just scientific aspirations, but as carrying with them “the hopes and dreams of a generation.”
The hopes and dreams of a generation.
When I look at my fellow millennials, and the generations coming up behind me, “hopes and dreams” is not usually what comes to mind. I see generations tired from too many once-in-a-lifetime events, cynical and loosing hope, skeptical of technology after the hopes of increased connection, freedom, and knowledge surrounding the internet and social media did not come to pass, instead fueling polarization and increased violence in the world.
Back here on Earth, we fear the technological changes that are taking place around us. AI stealing jobs. Our online world, once hoped to bring about so much positive change, now data mining centers where our data is consumed and fed to data monopolies like Meta and Google.
Somehow, technology has become a dark, heavy weight in our hearts driven by consumption, rather than a source of hope, awe, and inspiration for what we as humans can accomplish when we put our minds together.
Back to Awe
When we work together, we can harness the power of human curiosity and ingenuity to literally reach for the stars. Artemis II embodies technology as it should be, innovation that serves humanity, inspiring us and expanding our sense of possibility.
Of course, this launch does not exist in a vacuum - no pun intend. There are politics surrounding this launch as there were in JFK’s day as he raced the Soviet Union into space. There are also legitimate sustainability concerns around space travel and concerns that the promise of a lunar base could distract from efforts to stop climate change.
But I’ve read that seeing Earth from above gives astronauts quite a bit of perspective on our world and what it means to be human - a perspective of oneness and awe one might find in the quiet of meditation or a flash of natural beauty on a nature walk.
So I choose to be hopeful and optimistic for what this represents, for the awe it inspired in me and others around the world. To embrace this perspective from here on Earth - to boldly go, to dream, to embrace this one wonderful life we have.
I also aim to support technology that evokes inspiration through my usage and discussions with others. A supporter of technology that truly serves humanity, rather than existing as a vehicle of over-consumption and cynicism. Technology that nurtures the human spirit and returns us to awe.
The Heron’s Perch
Coaching questions to ponder
What’s one technology that evokes a sense of awe for you?
How might you inspire others this Easter weekend?
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
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Feeling overwhelmed as a human trying to navigate the complexities of modern life responsibly and with intention?
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Thriving Amid Digital Noise: Free Discussion Circle
Date and Time: May 28th, 2026. 5pm - 6:00pm CET.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
I run a free, monthly discussion circle on living purposely with technology - AI, social media, smartphones, the works. This is a safe space to discuss how to live intentionally and responsibly in our complex, modern world.
Our May topic will be: Fact Checking: Deep Fakes and Fake News
Hope to see you there <3
Save the Date! A Collaboration with Modern Sacred
Date and Time: June 11th, 2026. 6pm - 7:30pm CET.
Location: Online
Cost: TBD
I’m excited to be working on a workshop empowering the modern woman to use AI, social media, smartphones, and other technology intentionally. More details to follow. For now: Watch this space!