Utterance of the phrase “the wild” evokes images of deep, icy rivers and wind whipping you from all sides as you perch on top of a peak, hoping the next gust won’t boot you off a ledge. Feelings of fear, and passion, and the unknown. These thoughts aren’t invalid, but are a little too Jack London for our reality. Places remaining truly untamed still exist, but the truth of the matter is that humans live tame lives. Yes, there still are wild people that live wild lives, driven by a deeper desire to feel the feral world, but this quality isn’t unique.
Some might invalidate their own wild side because they don’t live the mountain man cliché we all secretly yearn, and that invalidation is a true tragedy. The planet on which we live isn’t defined by the concrete sprawls some now navigate, nor the pockets of pristine wilderness few will ever see. Our world is defined by the blades of grass, pushing up through the sidewalk cracks, a sometimes futile reminder of the omnipotence of the natural world.
I’m one of the lucky ones in this equation; my home happens to be situated in a valley cradled between seven visible mountain ranges. My winters are filled with bitter nights and stars as sharp as shards of glass. My spring is filled by the two-tone comfort of the black- capped chickadee’s call. In 15 minutes, I can find myself sprawled out on any number of foothills, able to dig my toes into dirt and feel fresh air filling my lungs. Nature is truly omnipresent for my lifestyle, but unfortunately civilization hasn’t found a balance. The human values of progress conflict with the infinite resilience and sustainability of the natural world. Despite the clash, the cause of balance isn’t lost. Hubs of urban life as well as isolated towns can both begin a shift of mindset, and the first step is as easy as recognizing. Recognizing that the wild lies dormant in each of us. Nature doesn’t have to be grand or monumental, and that’s the beauty. I urge you all to breathe a little deeper and look a little closer because the wild we desire remains everywhere; our job is simply to seek it out.
-CK
