I wandered around Patagonia asking people this question: What do you wonder about, ponder, muse upon, chew over—even turn upside down in your mind and marvel at? Here are some responses:

“I’ve been wondering about a timeless universe. Some cosmologists say it is likely time is new—not in every universe. I like to think someday we will not have time. What would that mean? What will our next world be like, and what would we be? Humans are bound by time, but when we are gone, will there be no more time? I will be eager to be in a time and entropy free paradigm.”
Sonia Johnson, Sonoita

“I know I am here in this world to learn. I need to be aware and open to various approaches to knowledge, wisdom and healing. I think the key for this to happen is listening to the voice within. Inspiration often comes from nature, astrology, awareness of angels and ancestors. I have been beautifully led through my life’s challenges. My focus these days is on gratitude as I am a 37-year cancer survivor.”
Judith Hinton Andrew, Patagonia

“I recognize my thoughts in the thoughts of other people, from all times and places. We all think about the same things and our experiences add up to a common core. I can’t seem to find an end to things I have thought about—and that others also thought about. I find it amazing and moving. I think we are connected to everything that is, was and will be.”
Sue Smith, Patagonia Lake

“I think about and explore the physical world around me. I like picking up a rock and learning it is probably 350 million years old and wondering what it looks like inside. I find comfort in seeing and knowing there are still wild animals in the world, such as wolves and jaguars. I become aware of my own insignificance when I read about ancient civilizations.”
Jon Larsen, Patagonia

“I was always trying to find my way out of a tunnel of despair, answers to my questions and seeking something that would make me wholesomely happy. I climbed the rungs of the yoga ladder and came to Bhakti yoga, which has answered every question and dilemma of my life, every quandary about the universe.”
Donna Lee, Patagonia

“What is my life’s purpose and intent? The answer is that I use all my abilities to express the human condition and seek truth through art. I have been mentored by great artists, from Tucson to Hollywood and back to Southern Arizona where my family were vaqueros. My business partner here in Patagonia is author JPS Brown, related to the first white rancher in Arizona. As a young man, I was creative associate to film director Hal Ashby, whose films changed American society. Whew! That will keep me humble and on a life-long quest.”
Rick Padilla, Patagonia