"We are all explorers, driven to know what’s over the horizon, what’s beyond our own shores. And yet, the more I’ve experienced, the more I’ve learned that no matter how far we travel, or how fast we get there, the most profound discoveries are not necessarily beyond that next star. They’re within us, woven into the threads that bind us -- all of us -- to each other."

The above quote is taken from one of the final episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise entitled Terra Prime. In the midst of negotiations to form an interplanetary alliance, Earth must face its most haunting demons. Hatred, prejudice, and fear threaten to dissolve peaceful cooperation as members of Terra Prime, a xenophobic terrorist organization, plan a devastating attack on Starfleet Headquarters. Jonathan Archer, captain of the NX-01 Enterprise, delivers a heartfelt speech in which he makes the above remarks in an attempt to convince skeptic dignitaries that their efforts have not been wasted.

So why am I, an admitted Trekkie, trying to plug this show to you, the innocent blog reader? I'm not. I'm plugging the quote, and I'm plugging the ideals behind the quote.

In times of political and social turmoil, Star Trek has consistently provided positive commentary with an optimistic view of humanity. When most science fiction is quick to predict mankind's downfall in the near future, Star Trek sees beyond our potential to self destruct. It encourages diversity, acceptance, and selflessness when many of us can see only prejudice, hatred, and greed.

Whoever you are, whatever your beliefs; whether you find comfort in science or nature, knowledge or ignorance; we are all explorers. And we search for answers through any means possible - religion and science, education and introspection, love and hate. But the answers we seek aren't always over the horizon or beyond that next star. They're within us, woven into the threads that bind us all to each other.