For now, however, instead of seeking enlightment in the Himalayas, I am focusing on finding beauty in the moments and creatures and people I encounter in my daily life, from the capricious hoverflies I work with in the lab to playing violin to the simple act of getting out of bed in the morning to enjoy breakfast with friends. I believe that that there is something sacred about these instances as well.
As a scientist, I encounter natural phenomena on a daily basis that reconfirm just how much I do not know. Therefore, I think cultivating a healthy respect for other perspectives that do not (yet) quite fall into the scientific domain is important because the realm of the unknown is so vast that we have to consider all possibilities to make headway. Although the sense of being in the dark is often frustrating, I also feel humbled at these extraordinary opportunities to learn more about nature and place myself at the feet of something much greater.
