About This Blog


My name is Seth Adam Smith and this is The Alaska Muse—a website dedicated to sharing "the Northern Lights of life."

I was born in Anchorage, Alaska. Every morning, in elementary school, we would stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, with its stars and stripes—and to the Alaska State flag, with its Big Dipper and North Star.

I didn't think much about it at the time, but in the time since then I've realized that the starry symbolism of those flags has had a profound impact on my life. Fixed in the night sky, the North Star is constant and unmoving. It has been used for thousands of years to help people find their way in the world; it is a gift from God to guide us home.

As a child growing up in Alaska, I often saw the Northern Lights and marveled at their wondrous dance across the night sky. During the winter, Alaska can be a very dark and seemingly desolate place. But even on the darkest days, those Northern Lights would bring a kind of warmth and magic—and a sense of hope.

I believe that everything we see is a symbol for what we do not see. I believe that there are "Northern Lights" all around us and we must open our spiritual eyes to see them. Our days may feel dark, but I assure you, there is a spiritual light among us—and it is calling to us, showing us the way home.

As I said earlier, this website is dedicated to sharing "the Northern Lights of life." It is my hope that this blog will be a light to you—that it will inspire you to move forward.