I was born and raised in Peshawar, Pakistan, where I began my high school education. However, after completing it, I moved to the United States to continue my studies and eventually found employment. Naturally, while in Pakistan, my mindset and beliefs were largely influenced by local norms. Everything I saw and experienced seemed normal to me. I did not have cosmic perspective but instead it was geocentric, predominantly shaped by my immediate environment, local issues, and regional beliefs. Being so deeply ingrained in that society, I couldn’t analyze it independently or rationally.

It wasn’t until I left Pakistan that I could study my homeland’s culture objectively and form independent judgments about it. Many religious practices and local customs that seemed justifiable and acceptable became more transparent once I stepped outside the system. Gaining this broader perspective allowed me to understand other viewpoints, compare them, and formulate a more rational and independent opinion.

When we are deeply entrenched within a system or culture, we carry inherent biases. If we’ve never been exposed to alternative viewpoints, our perceptions can be one-sided. So, to genuinely understand and evaluate a system or culture, it’s vital to approach it from an outside perspective, free from biases. This principle applies whether studying a society, culture, religion, economic system, or company.

Biases are a natural human phenomenon, but we can consciously work to mitigate their effects and aim for more rational judgments. This broader perspective’s goal is to attain an objective view. And to truly expand our perspective, let’s reflect on the Apollo 17 mission to the moon over 50 years ago. In December 1972, they sent us the iconic “Blue Marble” image of Earth, even though I was born after that event. This photograph profoundly impacted countless minds, providing us with a unique view of our world.

This birthed the “cosmic perspective,” a viewpoint influenced by understanding the vastness and complexity of the universe. It positions our planet, species, and individual lives within the broader cosmic context, contrasting sharply with regional or local perspectives. With a cosmic perspective, we aren’t tied down by the biases of a particular group or regional customs. We see things from a more expansive, universal viewpoint.

To truly grasp this, let’s embark on a thought experiment. Imagine you’re aboard Apollo 17 on December 7th, 1972. You’ve reached that pivotal moment where you’re about to capture an image of Earth in its entirety. You’re not viewing Earth as a fragmented collection of continents, countries, towns, or neighborhoods. You’re not dividing it by ethnicity, race, ideology, or religious beliefs. Instead, you see Earth as a unified whole.

Through this cosmic perspective, you realize that this blue dot is our singular home. You begin to erase all the artificial divisions and borders we’ve created—ideological, religious, ethnic, social, and economic. Starting with national boundaries, you mentally erase each line of division, one by one, until what remains is just a blue dot. With this perspective, we can approach problems and systems rationally and objectively.

For instance, if we wish to analyze a particular country’s economic or political system, we can do so with a viewpoint free from local biases, as if we’re observing from the moon—a staggering 238,000 miles away. This “238,000-mile perspective” provides clarity devoid of prejudice, ensuring decisions are made based on broader understanding.

In adopting this cosmic perspective, we acknowledge our insignificance within the vast universe. Earth is merely a tiny blue speck, and humans just a minute fragment of its entirety. This understanding instills a sense of humility. It underscores our interconnectedness; everything in the universe is intrinsically linked. The very elements constituting our bodies were forged in stars. As Carl Sagan famously said, “We are made of star stuff.” Recognizing the rarity and preciousness of life deepens our appreciation for it.

Ultimately, adopting a broader cosmic perspective not only enhances our understanding but also propels us to explore further. By acknowledging the universe’s vast mysteries, we’re inspired to push the limits of our knowledge and capabilities.

To thrive in life, one needs to adopt a rational perspective. For me, rationality stands paramount, overshadowing all other traits. No matter your proficiency, communication skills, social adeptness, or the breadth of your knowledge, without rationality, these attributes are rendered void. The decisions we make should be grounded in reason to truly succeed.

A simple exercise will illustrate this: observe someone’s decisions. Are they made on impulse, swayed by emotion, or other extraneous factors? If they lack reason, then it becomes evident that the individual’s life isn’t steered by rationality. Actions, undeniably, speak louder than words.

While passion, compassion, and enthusiasm are vital, they should be anchored in rationality. No matter the intensity with which we pursue a path, if it’s the wrong one, it’s futile. Thus, leading a life through reason is quintessential.

To achieve this unwavering rational approach, we need a broader, cosmic perspective. This viewpoint is both humbling, highlighting our minuteness in the universe, and empowering, emphasizing our unique position as conscious beings on a planet teeming with life. Through the cosmic lens, our judgments are free from the constraints of local biases or conformities, leading to a fulfilling life rooted in reason.

Personally, I don’t define myself by nationalities like Pakistani or American, nor by any localized ideologies or beliefs. I see myself as a global citizen, equipped with a cosmic perspective, and driven by rationality. Every day, I strive to mitigate biases – whether they’re tied to ideologies, groups, locales, or religions.

Of course, being human means I occasionally falter. Influences from external stimuli, emotions, or societal roles sometimes cloud judgment. No one is rational at all times. However, if rationality is your primary compass, you’ll predominantly be shielded from narrow-mindedness and regional prejudices.

In conclusion, a life led as a global citizen, through a cosmic lens and rooted in rationality, is truly fulfilling. Such a life allows one to realize their potential, fostering happiness, prosperity, and contentment.