"Everything is subordinated to us, fashioned for our use and our pleasure. Egotism itself, which is so necessary to a proper sense of human dignity, is entirely the result of indoor life. Out of doors one becomes abstract and impersonal. One's individuality absolutely leaves one. And then Nature is so indifferent, so unappreciative." (Wilde, The Decay of Lying)
One is unable to perceive the changes that take place each day that charges towards the solstice. However, once spring comes, the ache becomes persistant where all we can think about is going outside! Part of me withers and dies during the northern winter. Like the trees, I become dormant. Oh how I fight the indoor life. By the time I am done my "duties" it is dark outside and I am exhausted from the lack of natural light. I try to fashion my home, to motivate and energize, to inspire, to ignite my desire for life. But nothing can motivate me more than the return daylight. I long for the days when I can become abstract and impersonal, as Mr. Wilde once said.