I always enjoy your articles, thank you for sharing!

I've always considered myself closely tied with nature. When I'm upset, I got outside, find an animal or other living creature, and feel better. I value life, and do not believe that there is anything after this. I find solace in knowing that existence is luckily not forever.

I recently find myself very down about the state of the world, I feel heavy about being a part of this species that does so much harm to a place that I love, and I know that by existing I am a part of it. Connection is what matters, and it feels like genuine connection has been hard to come by as so many people have become so extreme in their viewpoints recently. Maybe they always have been, and we just haven't known because we didn't have social media to see it.

I decided to take a mini-retirement this past year to travel, but what I have found is a loneliness and lack of satisfaction from traveling alone because I miss my husband. He is my biggest connection, and it just doesn't feel worth exploring new places if someone isn't there to enjoy it with me. Many will disagree, this is just my experience. I am happiest when I am connected.

- Thank you again for this thought provoking piece!