"With the possible exception of the equator, everything begins somewhere"

C. S. Lewis draws attention to the nearly universal principle of origins. Everything we encounter, the natural world, ideas, endeavors, relationships, each has a point of inception, a birth, a first moment. By excluding the equator, which is an imaginary line rather than a tangible thing that comes into being, he cleverly frames his insight with a touch of irony, highlighting that almost nothing exists outside the bounds of beginning and origin.

This observation encourages a reflection on the nature of life and existence itself. Growth, change, and creativity all spring from this kernel: there must be a start. From a falling leaf to the founding of a city, from the flickering spark of inspiration to an old tradition, each is rooted in an initial moment. It suggests an inherent humility, for the largest phenomena, mountain ranges, civilizations, even personal journeys, are constructed from such modest, sometimes unnoticed, origins. Lewis gently invites us to recognize that every mighty tree was once an unseen seed; every grand narrative begins with a first word.

Furthermore, the phrase pokes gently at the human tendency to expect events, feelings, or accomplishments to simply exist, ignoring the long chain of causality that has led to their current state. Nothing comes from nowhere. Every effect has a cause, every present once was the future, every established fact a novel idea. This realization can imbue life with meaning: if beginnings are necessary, then every small action might signify the start of something important. Our efforts, choices, and even failures may be formative seeds.

Lewis also implies a kind of investigative optimism. Because everything begins somewhere, we are invited to look for roots, to seek explanations and sources, to pursue origin stories in history, art, and our own lives. Recognizing beginnings can cultivate wonder, hope, and patience both with ourselves and with the unfolding world around us.