As a student of life
I believe intelligence manifests itself
not through expression or formality
but through observation and genuine curiosity
Observing nature is always an awe-inspiring, spiritual experience for me
I could sit and watch waves crash for hours
The ocean, in particular, reminds me how incredibly fascinating our planet is
and how little we know despite what we think we know
There is nothing more humbling than being face-to-face with something so much bigger than yourself
But I often wonder why nature inspires us why we're in awe of certain scenery
and why we find these landscapes, oceans, and stars so breathtaking
We haven't done anything to earn this awe, so why do we feel it?
It is this very question that leads me to believe our most inspired state, then
is not one of accomplishment
but of humility
I think we naturally fall in love with places that prove how small we are
places that humble us with reminders
that we have so much more to learn
so much more to grow
that we are part of something bigger than ourselves
Our significance lies in such potential
in that quiet recognition of the stardust in our bones
and the oceans in our minds
knowing that a new sunrise paints our skies every day of our lives
And by virtue of just being
by existing
nature gives us a free front row seat
It's like we've won the evolutionary lottery
That's why I find it perplexing that we live such misdirected, consumed lives
We could quite literally not exist at all
we could be nothing
we could be incapable of perceiving any of this
All of us are always just one unexpected phone call
one diagnosis
one broken heart
one newfound love
and one moment away
from being completely different people
with completely different priorities
Indeed, how frail we are
And yet, how blessed we are
You see, those seemingly insignificant moments spent with nature remind you of what's important
they remind you that all we really have
is our consciousness and each other
After all, what is life without either?
I would say, then
that it matters little what we've achieved if those achievements are not also in service of others
The sense of purpose we feel when we give far outweighs what is derived from any achievement
And unlike a trophy which fades into darkness
giving has a glory that lasts a lifetime