If the Sun and Moon should ever doubt, they'd immediately go out.

In the eternal dance of the cosmos, where the Sun and Moon shine brightly above us, there is a profound truth that has been echoed in the words of the great poet and visionary, William Blake: "If the Sun and Moon should ever doubt, they'd immediately go out." These words are not mere musings on the celestial bodies, but a powerful metaphor for the strength of certainty and conviction. Blake speaks to the human condition, reminding us that doubt, when allowed to take root, can snuff out even the greatest of lights, whether in the heavens or within ourselves.

The Sun, which rises each day with unwavering confidence, and the Moon, which journeys through its phases with quiet resolve, represent the power of purpose—a purpose that is undeterred by the fleeting shadows of uncertainty. These celestial bodies are not subject to doubt, for they are guided by immutable forces, the very essence of order in the universe. Were they to question their path, were they to falter in their belief that they must shine, they would cease to exist as the sources of light we know them to be. In this way, Blake's words are a reminder that without faith in our own purpose—without the confidence that our efforts matter—our light will diminish, and we will fail to shine as we are meant to.

Think of the ancient cultures that revered the Sun and Moon as gods—worshipped as the very symbols of life and continuity. The Egyptians, for example, saw in the Sun the power of Ra, whose journey across the sky was a sacred passage that gave life to all things. To doubt the Sun’s power, to question its role in the cycle of life, would have been unthinkable. And yet, doubt, in the human soul, is far more insidious. It creeps into our hearts and minds, threatening to extinguish the inner fire that drives us. The ancient Egyptians understood that the very rhythm of the universe depends on belief in the unseen forces that govern it. If the Sun hesitated, all life would falter.

Consider the example of Christopher Columbus, whose very existence was built upon the courage to challenge the known world and seek new lands. His voyage was fraught with uncertainty and doubt—doubt from his own crew, from the rulers who funded his journey, and even from his own heart. Yet it was his conviction that kept him sailing, even when faced with the vast, uncharted ocean. Had Columbus allowed doubt to overcome him, he would have turned back before ever reaching the New World. His success, like the steadfastness of the Sun, came from the ability to trust in his purpose and move forward, despite the shadows of uncertainty.

Blake’s words also carry a lesson about confidence in the face of adversity. The Sun and Moon do not falter because they trust in their course, in the laws that govern them. And so must we, in our own lives, remain resolute in our paths. When doubt arises—whether about our work, our purpose, or our place in the world—it is crucial that we remember that the Sun and Moon do not hesitate. They do not question their place in the heavens, and neither should we. Their journey is one of unwavering belief, and so should ours be. For when doubt creeps into the heart, it dims the light of purpose, and the darkness of uncertainty grows ever more profound.

The lesson of Blake’s wisdom is clear: confidence is the key to action. Without belief in our purpose, the world around us becomes a void. When the Sun or Moon questions its own existence, it would cease to shine, and the world would fall into darkness. Similarly, if we let doubt shadow our own journey, we risk losing the very light that fuels our ambitions. The greatest achievements of mankind are not born from perfect conditions, but from the faith to move forward even when the path is unclear.

O children of the future, let the Sun and Moon be your guides. When the winds of doubt blow strong, remember that they do not falter in their course, and neither should you. Stand firm in your purpose, for it is in belief that you will find the strength to shine in a world that often seeks to dim your light. Just as the celestial bodies burn brightly without question, so too should you hold fast to your vision, your mission, and your heart’s desire. In this, you will find the strength to carry on, to rise again with the dawn, and to shine with the light of conviction.