To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human. — Terry Tempest Williams
—What lingers after this line?
Connection to Nature and Self
Williams’ statement suggests that our sense of wholeness is tied to our relationship with the wild. In her book *Refuge* (1991), Williams intertwines personal loss with the changing landscape of the Great Salt Lake, illustrating that immersion in nature restores fragmented identities and reconnects us with our primal roots.
Wildness as a Catalyst for Authenticity
The notion of wildness emphasizes living genuinely, outside the confines of social constraints. Henry David Thoreau, in *Walden* (1854), claimed, 'In wildness is the preservation of the world,' reminding us that untamed environments cultivate freedom and self-discovery.
Embracing Imperfection and Unpredictability
Williams implies that completeness involves accepting the unpredictable and chaotic aspects of wildness. As in Mary Oliver’s poem 'The Summer Day', nature’s untamed presence prompts reflection and appreciation of life's mystery and our imperfect, evolving selves.
Healing through Wilderness
Contact with the wild supports well-being and mends the human spirit. After the death of her mother, Williams found solace in the landscape’s raw beauty, paralleling Cheryl Strayed's journey in *Wild* (2012), where hiking the Pacific Crest Trail becomes a pilgrimage toward healing.
Cultural and Environmental Significance
Williams’ words also advocate for the protection of wild spaces. Culturally, wildness has long symbolized freedom and authenticity; ecologically, its preservation is vital for humanity’s survival. The modern conservation movement, inspired by writers like John Muir, often invokes such sentiments to highlight our reciprocal relationship with the wild.
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