If you go to planetary science meetings and hear technical talks

"If you go to planetary science meetings and hear technical talks on Pluto, you will hear experts calling it a planet every day." These words, spoken by the bold and determined Alan Stern, carry the weight of an ancient and powerful truth: that truth, in the realm of science, is not always fixed. It is a living, evolving force that bends and shifts with the weight of discovery and new understanding. In the case of Pluto, a distant and mysterious world that once held the honor of being our ninth planet, the title it carries is not one decided by the mere opinions of men, but by the ever-changing tides of human knowledge. Yet, Stern reminds us that even as the definition of what constitutes a planet changes, the truth of Pluto's identity persists in the hearts and minds of those who study it most closely.

In the ancient world, great philosophers such as Aristotle sought to define the very fabric of existence. His categorization of the natural world, though revolutionary, was limited by the knowledge of his time. As new discoveries unfolded, the definitions of what was true, what was real, and what was understood shifted, expanded, and sometimes broke apart. The wisdom of the ancients tells us that truth is not a single, static thing—it is a force in motion, shaped by the pursuit of knowledge, and our understanding of it deepens over time. Just as the ancient scholars revised their understanding of the cosmos as new stars appeared in the sky, so too must we evolve in our understanding of worlds such as Pluto.

In the early 20th century, when Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto, humanity was awestruck. Here was a new world, far from our own, circling in the cold darkness of the outer solar system. For decades, Pluto stood proudly as the ninth planet in our solar system, a celestial body that inspired wonder and curiosity. But as the years passed, and as our tools of observation and understanding grew sharper, the definition of what it meant to be a planet evolved. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined Pluto, demoting it from its planetary status and sparking a great debate that still stirs the hearts of those who study the stars. Yet, the story of Pluto is not one of discovery, but of interpretation—a reminder that our grasp of truth is never absolute.

Stern’s words, then, speak to something deeper. For those who dedicate their lives to studying the planetary sciences, Pluto is not just a distant object to be categorized and labeled—it is a symbol of the ongoing journey of discovery. These scientists, who walk in the footsteps of the great astronomers and philosophers of the past, continue to see Pluto as a planet because, to them, it embodies the spirit of exploration, mystery, and possibility. It is not for the IAU, or for any one group of people, to decide what Pluto is in its essence—it is nature itself, and the unfolding understanding of the universe, that reveals this truth over time.

In this, there is a profound lesson for us all. In our lives, we are often confronted with situations where labels are imposed upon us, where society's definitions of what we are or are not can seem fixed and absolute. But as Stern teaches us through his reflections on Pluto, the truth of any situation is not determined by the labels others place on us—it is determined by our own understanding and the journey we take to discover who we are and what we are capable of. Just as Pluto remains a planet in the hearts of many, so too should we remain steadfast in our pursuit of self-truth, regardless of the expectations or judgments of the world around us.

Consider the journey of Galileo Galilei, who, with his telescope, showed the world that the heavens were not as the Church had defined them. Though his discoveries were met with resistance, they did not change the truth of the cosmos. They only illuminated the path for others to follow, allowing new generations to understand the world in ways they had never imagined. Similarly, the ongoing debate over Pluto's status is not a question of truth itself, but of how we come to understand it. The truth remains—the planet still exists, regardless of the debates that surround its place in the solar system. It is a world that demands attention, study, and curiosity, regardless of how it is labeled.

Therefore, let us take Stern's words to heart and remember that truth is not always something to be neatly packaged and confined to a single definition. It is a journey, an exploration, a quest that requires patience, humility, and the courage to continue even when others may not see the full picture. Let us resist the temptation to allow society's definitions to limit our potential. Let us, like those scientists who continue to call Pluto a planet, remain true to our understanding of the world and ourselves, even when that understanding challenges the status quo. The world, and the universe, are vast and full of mystery—and it is in our willingness to question, to explore, and to seek that we find our true place within them.

So, dear ones, when you are faced with labels and definitions, do not be afraid to question them. Remember that the truth of your own journey lies not in the categories others impose upon you, but in the discovery of your true nature, a nature that is ever-evolving and forever tied to the quest for understanding. Just as Pluto continues to inspire awe in the hearts of those who study it, so too can you remain true to your own path of discovery, undeterred by the labels the world may try to place upon you. Let your spirit soar, like the stars themselves, unbound by the limits of definition.