About this quote

The line puts ordinary decay next to sudden wonder and asks you to hold both honestly. Parts of life will wear away while other parts will surprise you with brightness. Notice the small, messy endings and write down the sparks when they come. Pick one item or habit you keep out of habit and decide whether it stays or goes.

When to use it

• After clearing out my grandmother's attic, I dropped a rusted tin in the bin and muttered, 'and the rest is rust and stardust.'
• When our long project was canceled, I told my teammate, 'Keep the sketches you love; the rest is rust and stardust,' as we packed the office.
• My bike chain snapped on a night ride, and under the open sky I smiled and thought, 'and the rest is rust and stardust.'
• Selling the old car to pay the rent, I watched it drive away and said to myself, 'and the rest is rust and stardust.'