Today, on the 22nd of April - Earth Day, more than any other day, I find myself reminiscing about the first time I laid eyes on the Andes. My love for mountains has never been deeper than when I first beheld the majestic phantoms of the Rockies.
Prior to landing in Santiago de Chile, I gazed out of the airplane window for over 40 minutes, mesmerized by the longest mountain range I had ever seen. I have never felt more humble as a human being in nature than I did while witnessing the seemingly endless expanse of mountains below me.
It began with a view of snow-covered rocky peaks, mighty glaciers, which gradually transitioned into crinkled, brownish hills, and finally transformed into a landscape blanketed with emerald green grass. This breathtaking natural spectacle left me speechless. In that moment, I truly understood the profound truth that nature doesn’t need people. Surveying the thriving, uninhabited vastness of beauty below me, something shifted inside of me. I vividly recall the special moment when I realized the higher purpose of my existence in this world— in a place where humans are truly not necessary and mean nothing to the Earth.
At that time, I was grappling with significant challenges and hadn't experienced happiness or comfort for many months. The experience of witnessing those heavenly-touching mountains deeply touched my heart. Tears streamed down my face as I expressed gratitude to the Earth for having me, feeling content in that very moment. I knew that no matter what adversities I faced, I would persevere and always cherish the privilege of being in this world, knowing it is not guaranteed.
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