I wonder a lot, and ask a lot of questions.
Outside, on a mountain, driving with the windows down, sitting in silence on a beach, or a forest, or a desert.
Surrounded by art. Music, visual, dramatic, new foods and flavors.
Engaged in conversation about something important, to the other person or myself. Deep conversations, even silly conversations, that grow in depth for fun.
Discovering new knowledge and experiences, listening, reading, watching, learning.
Road trips.
Meeting strangers with something to say.
Cultural experiences.
"Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious." ~Stephen Hawking
That second I push off the edge of a plane. Looking down at the ground from 13.5k feet up. No sound but the wind rushing past my ears at 120mph, the Atlantic ocean in the distance out past Daytona Beach.
No worries, no stress, no confusion, no pain, no thoughts, nothing but the 60 second free fall while watching the altimeter for the perfect deployment point. Then poof! Gliding through the sky catching winds while deciding on the best route to the landing area with nothing but a nylon sheet to keep you alive durring your decent.
The perfect moment.
Alone in the wildernerss on a mountain where I can take off all of my clothers and be with nature.
Anywhere I'm surrounded by trees and nature. The problem is, some asshole will invariably put up a "For Sale" sign in places like that.
Sometimes, just being. This is especially true at the beach, contemplating the ocean, or in the woods contemplating the ecosystem, or under a clear night sky far enough from the city that I am in awe of the stars. Watching a sunrise, sunset, or eclipse, or just staring at the moon.
During and after really good (i.e., mutually satisfying) sex. Duh.
During and after a really interesting and/or intimate conversation.
During and after performing a piece of music as well as I have ever done it.
During and after hearing someone give a great musical performance (especially if I was the one fortunate enough to mix the sound).
During and after creating a memorable graphic or design, be it a meme, a logo, or a piece of art.
During and after solving some vexing programming problem, or coming up with a particularly elegant algorithm.
During and after helping somebody beat a traffic ticket. (I am not an attorney, but am widely acknowledged as one of the leading experts on California traffic law.)
During and after cooking a really delicious meal. Yes, ladies, all of this and he cooks, too.
A nature hiking trail on a morning that's slightly chilly. Invigorating, beautiful, peaceful, serene. Love it.
I can find beauty where othes don't. Sometimes I get my energy from a little solitude. Sometimes from wrighting. Sometimes from having worked a good solid day. Sometimes from good conversation. Others inspire me. These days I try to look for the optimistic. Been down in the sludge for far too long.
Every once in awhile I need to go to the forest. The Houston arboretum usual fulfills my needs.
Most of those, but mostly just being outside, surrounded by wild birds and animals.
I don't have any particular place, time, or set of conditions to be awed spitless. It just happens whenever, wherever, and however. It can be ... dangerous.
@Stacey48 -- I don't know about how rare it may be, but I can tell you that there are times I wish it were not so.
Camping in woods, around a fire on a cool night, with friends and loved ones. Listening to music with loved ones. Eating Indian food with good conversation. Sitting by the dock of a bay... Or problem solving (not personal problem) together-just being in awe of intelligence and logistics is fun when working with others you respect.
Similar. The top of a mountain. At a beethoven's 9th concert or mozart's requiem concert.