In our instant-gratification society, we want everything now. From lightning-fast deliveries to on-demand entertainment, we’ve forgotten how to wait. But when I heard about the Cygnus spacecraft’s glitch-filled journey to the International Space Station¹, it hit me: the universe is giving us a cosmic lesson in patience.

Cygnus, packed with 4,000 pounds of supplies, missed a few moves due to technical hiccups. It’ll still reach its destination, but on a fashionably late schedule. And guess what? That’s totally fine.

We’re always rushing to meet deadlines and check off tasks, caught up in the breakneck pace of modern life. We’ve lost sight of the fact that sometimes, things don’t go as planned – and that’s not necessarily terrible.

The Cygnus glitches are a subtle reminder from the cosmos to chill out and savor the ride, not just the finish line. They show us that delays and detours are simply part of the journey, and that real growth demands patience and flexibility.

So the next time I’m stressing over a setback, I’ll picture Cygnus cruising through space, taking the scenic route to the ISS. I’ll take a deep breath, have faith in the process, and appreciate the unexpected twists and turns of this cosmic adventure called life.

Because ultimately, what matters is that we keep pushing forward, one small step (or orbital adjustment) at a time. And if a spacecraft can rock a fashionably late arrival on its celestial commute, then we can definitely do the same.

1. Jeff Foust, “Cygnus spacecraft suffers glitches after launch,” SpaceNews, August 4, 2024, https://spacenews.com/cygnus-spacecraft-suffers-glitches-after-launch/ ↩

By

S.J Asher

Daily writing prompt

Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that.

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