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When this is published we’ll be a week away from Thanksgiving. As I’ve said often, it’s my favorite holiday. I’m sure for some of you, that’s not true. Some folks don’t like Thanksgiving, of course, those same people probably dislike puppies, kittens, fall foliage, and springtime and, are obviously, tastebud deficient.

Just kidding. Some folks have legitimate reasons for not caring for Thanksgiving, or any particular holiday. Some folks honestly don’t feel like they have anything for which to be thankful. I would like to propose, however, that we all really do have reason to be thankful.

If our Mars Rover or some other exploratory effort by NASA came across a single blade of grass, even a microscopic bit of living algae or bacterium, the scientific community would be out of their minds with excitement. Even the tiniest speck of life would create a worldwide frenzy of interest and speculation. Yes, I’m positive life exists elsewhere in the universe. Every scientist of any note assumes the same. They all point to the incalculable number of planets and the existence of the basic building blocks of life we’ve found in extra-terrestrial material. Life is out there, somewhere.

It is also true that we’ve never, ever, yet found even a speck of life “out there”. The reality is that, for now, we are it. We are the only place in the infinite vastness of space with life. We have consciousness, awareness of what exists around us. We can freely communicate and create. Yes, we often waste our communicative power in worthless drivel and invective against others but the fact that we can is still an amazing ability. Yes, we can create although we seem more determined to destroy each other instead of creating a better life for everyone. We could, at least theoretically, start treating each other with love and respect instead of fear and hate. Life is a miracle. Awareness is beyond miraculous.

That means not only that we’re a miracle but so is every speck of life on Earth. Dolphins, chimpanzees, elephants, and some birds recognize themselves in a mirror. Yes, crows, ravens, magpies, and even chickens seem to have some level of awareness.

As Eckert Tolle said, “You are not IN the universe, you ARE the universe, and intrinsic part of it. Ultimately you are not a person, but a focal point where the universe is becoming conscious of itself. What an amazing miracle.”

Being possessed of life, of awareness, may sometimes feel more burdensome than freeing but, if we pause, take a deep breath, and reflect, we will know how blessed we are and be thankful. We can step outside, look around at the beauty of this place we call home and be thankful.

I wish you a Thanksgiving filled with awareness that you are special, you are a miracle, a gift of the universe. We can each make this Thanksgiving a day to remind ourselves and others that we’re all blessed and called to be a blessing.