Zora Neale Hurston: 'Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at the sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.'

Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at the sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.

In her profound and uplifting quote, Zora Neale Hurston encourages her children, and by extension, all of us, to aim high and seize every opportunity. Her powerful words, "Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at the sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground," highlight the significance of taking risks, chasing our dreams, and achieving personal growth. On the surface, this quote seems to advocate for taking chances and exploring our potentials. However, by delving deeper into its essence, we can unwrap an unexpected philosophical concept that adds an intriguing element to Hurston's wisdom.At its core, Hurston's quote emphasizes the importance of striving for greatness, even if achieving our ultimate goals may seem impossible. It encapsulates the idea that the journey itself holds immense value, regardless of the destination. Hurston's mother urges her own children to leap ambitiously towards the sun, the epitome of greatness and brilliance. While it is apparent that physically landing on the sun is unattainable, the metaphorical meaning becomes apparent - the sun represents our loftiest aspirations. By metaphorically "landing on the sun," we symbolically reach for the stars, pursuing our dreams with unyielding determination.By encouraging her children to "get off the ground," Mama implores them to break free of stagnation, complacency, and fear. She instills the belief that even if we fall short of our ultimate goals, we will still rise above where we started. It resonates with the understanding that through our efforts and endeavors, we nurture growth, develop resilience, and cultivate the strength to overcome obstacles. The act of taking that first step, embracing the unknown, and striving for something beyond our grasp is what enables us to elevate ourselves, transforming into the best versions of ourselves along the way.Now, let us introduce the philosophical concept of existentialism to bring a fresh perspective to Hurston's quote. Existentialism, developed by thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, explores the freedom, individuality, and responsibility of human existence. At its core, existentialism confronts the reality that each of us possesses the ability to shape our lives, make choices, and create meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.Drawing from existentialist thought, Hurston's quote can be seen as an invitation to embrace our own agency and responsibility in pursuing our dreams. The concept of "jumping at the sun" embodies the existentialist idea that the meaning of life is not inherent but rather constructed by our actions and choices. It challenges us to embrace the uncertainties and absurdities of life and to derive purpose and fulfillment from our pursuit, regardless of the final outcome.In contrast to the existentialist perspective, the quote also echoes the concept of stoicism. Stoicism, developed by philosophers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, advocates for finding contentment and tranquility by acknowledging and accepting that some things are outside of our control. Stoicism encourages us to focus on our own actions, attitudes, and character rather than being consumed by external outcomes.In light of this perspective, Hurston's quote sheds light on the Stoic understanding that while we cannot control whether we land on the sun, we can control how we approach the journey. By "getting off the ground," we detach ourselves from the fixation on results and focus on the process. We cultivate resilience, inner strength, and a sense of fulfillment through our efforts, regardless of the outcome.Hurston's quote serves as a reminder that life is a constant ebb and flow of growth, setbacks, and triumphs. It speaks to the importance of embracing the challenges and uncertainties that lie before us, for it is through our leaps of faith and pursuit of greatness that we redefine our own limits and expand the boundaries of possibility. Just as her mother exhorted her children, Zora Neale Hurston urges us all to keep jumping at the sun, knowing that in the pursuit of our dreams, we will undoubtedly soar higher than we ever thought possible.