Know Thy Humanity

The human body is so intricate and complicated—billions of years of natural technological advancement.  What if we were to look at each other not as mere beings—as friend or foe—but as complicated, intricately-woven, technologically-advanced machines?  We marvel at the iPad, but not at each other.  We coo at dogs and babies, but not at humans past a certain age unless they are sexually appealing or athletically successful.  We create cameras that try to imitate what our eyeballs see even though no camera can touch the splendor of the human retina.  No microphone can adapt and record audio with the quality of an ear.  No computer can dream and process data as brilliantly as the brain.

What if we could look at every single person we encounter every day and see beyond the colors, the fabrics, the accents, the distractions our brains filter out to ensure continuity of the species and realize just how wildly marvelous each human being is by default?  The fact that each life exists at all is, statistically speaking, one of the most incredible feats in the entire solar system.  Without the sun exactly as it is, the moon exactly as it is, and the earth exactly as it is, the abundant well of life runs dry.

Yeah, there are differences in people, more than we can possibly imagine.  We lump our differences into wide categories to simplify things, but we’re really just seven billion extremely different creatures living under the common species of “sapien”.  But that’s exactly the point.  We all share the common, but rare trait of sentience.  Maybe I’m too delusional, but there seems nothing greater than the existence of a seven-billion person community with the ability to ponder, and every human is lucky enough to be part of it.  Yet, we remain isolated individuals unwilling to evolve, unwilling to humble ourselves to ideas that clash with our version of reality out of fear  we might be wrong.  The new goal should be to become sentient of your own sentience, aware of your own awareness.  You are the only you this world will ever see so yes, you are beautiful, and yes, you are unequivocally valuable.  To admit that about others is to face the truth that everyone, even those you fear or hate or despise, is just as wildly unique and essential to the fabric that makes up our species as you are.

Many call me unrealistically optimistic or compulsively serious but labels are divisive.  I can’t help but chuckle at those who think they are more “realistic” than other humans.  Whose standard of real are you going by?  Your own?  Well then yes, you are realistically yourself.  Congratulations, but in terms of the whole species, you are just one insignificant part of the puzzle, no greater or worse than any other piece.  If you think for a minute that you are better than another, Karma will find a way to put you in your place.  But will you muster up the courage to listen?  I think the fact that each human is already alive is more than enough argument for peace to last the lifespan of our species.  The fact that I’m alive is enough optimism to last my whole lifetime.  I’m untouchably fulfilled because I’ve accepted my existence and my significantly insignificant place in this world.  We all have brains that have the capacity for brilliance, even the seemingly nuttiest among us.  What’s more difficult is to admit your own shortcomings and listen to the ideas of others.  Empathy is our greatest ally.

It’s ironic that as sentient beings, we forget to recognize and appreciate each others’ humanity.  We forget, or are unaware, that everyone is experiencing some kind of personal struggle with reality, for we all have partial glimpses as individuals but never the full view.  No one is immune to this dilemma.  But the recognition of our limitations is a step in the right direction.  We can no longer sit back and wait for evolution.  If we have sentience, then we must sentiently evolve.  This is how nature operates.  There is nothing more to worry about or plan for or look forward to because we’re already here experiencing sentience.  The sooner we respect the consciousness of all involved, the faster we can see each other with loving eyes.  Religion or not, we are sentient beings and we are all here, alone together.  What more do you need to get excited about life?  What more do you need to take it upon yourself to evolve your mind and be the best you possible?