Photo By Ales Krivec

It’s impossible to sit in every nook tucked into the earth, but very possible to feel every nook.  Sitting on a rock wedged between two others, somewhat secluded in a valley wall, it is easy to feel very cozy and calm, like God gave you your own private resting space for however long you choose to stay.  It can be a magical feeling that seduces any hiker, climber, camper etc. to want to identify other little nooks, feel how cozy they can be and wonder what the view is like from them.  But this is an impossible proposition, to sit in every little cozy spot on our planet, and a somewhat selfish one at that.  Everyone and everything will find the small spaces that have been earmarked for them as they go along.

What must be realized is that this is an emotional feeling and that feeling comes from within, regardless of what stimulation is bringing it out.  This feeling of intimate seclusion isn’t even always a thing for the individual.  It can be given to one’s self through different means, but can also be shared by many in many different circumstances.  You can provide others at times with their own intimate close space, and can be provided one just the same.

Being totally alone in nature helps me get there, but I can also find it when wedging myself into a friend I love, hugging him or her in the way that lets my chin rest on their shoulder with eyes closed.

For myself, I shouldn’t ignore the fact that this eye-opening came through nature, but that’s the trap for all of us: will we continue to search for that original catalyst of an emotion, or appreciate that it truly emanates from within, from our own understanding and appreciation?  What we are really looking for is that feeling of comfort and solace, and with a little discipline and quiet, we should be able to call on it at almost any time.

The largeness of life, the vastness of happiness and the infinity of contentment are not in one spot or one type of place, they are in all spots and places seen one way.