Issue #123 | June 12, 2026 | Previous issues​

Hey Reader,

It's hard to look around the planet and think of humans as crowned dust.

I like to "joke" that we're devolving as a human race.

Overall, we humans look pretty pathetic in the grand scheme of things.

War. Poverty. Violence. Domestic and child abuse. Politics. Pollution. And these are just samples.

I often wonder why we spend billions of dollars searching space for more intelligent life, because if superior beings DO exist, the last place they'd want to hang out is here with us.

If more intelligent life exists out there, they've either skipped over our planet or are purposely hiding from us.

Or, if you really want to go sci-fi about it, they're probably getting ready to exterminate us.

Ok, ok, half-jokes aside.

We aren't that bad are we?

Fundamentally, no. I believe most people want to be good. They either don't know how or keep getting tripped up by circumstances.

It's always the few that ruin it for the rest. Most people don't shoplift, but the ones that do cause prices to go up for everyone.

It only takes a handful (or just one) to ruin things for everyone.

Let's just concentrate on not being that ONE.

It's a low bar to shoot for. But it's a start lol.

Some people go through their whole life searching for some grand purpose to their existence.

Or if you're in mid-life, like I am, you might know all about existential dread.

This is how Copilot defines existential dread: the profound anxiety or unease that arises when confronting the fundamental uncertainties and responsibilities of human existence.

I'm pretty sure I live in that sentence—somewhere between the unease of uncertainties and responsibilities.

The older I get the less I love uncertainty and the more I run from responsibilities.

I could go on and on about the absurdity of life and how humans are both pathetic and magnificent.

But I don't want to leave you without hope lol. Without something positive.

A verse in the Bible this morning shed some hope on our condition.

Psalm chapter 8 has some pretty interesting things to say about humans.

Verse 5 of that chapter basically says that God made humans a little lower than angels and crowned us with glory and splendor.

That verse made me raise an eyebrow. 🤔

Humans a little lower than angels? (Like what—one modest rung down?)

Humans crowned with glory and splendor?

What?

I can just imagine God explaining earthly creatures to his spirit creatures.

"They will be made from dirt. They'll need water, food, sleep, affection, sunlight, and bowel regularity to survive. But they'll also talk and have opinions. Oh and I'll crown them with glory and splendor.”

Take some time to think about that.

This is absurdism at its best. lol

Crowned dust!

It's absolutely humbling to remember that we are dust. And yet, it's also dignifying that God intended for humans to have a measure of glory.

Each of us has a place in the grand scheme of things. And apparently, it includes glory and splendor.

Gotta love that.

So, when you wake up every morning, remember to straighten not only your hair but also that little God-given human crown—to remind you of who you are.

Crowned dust.

With love,

Anna

P.S. This week’s tiny assignment: Be humble enough to remember you’re dirt, and dignified enough to stop acting like you’re nothing.

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