Something Extraordinary

Something extraordinary: 

we're not sure exactly what it is, but it's something extraordinary, some quality of events that gives us an edge of consciousness beyond any other life-form, that somehow we're different, more aware of what we truly are and our place within the world. The chemical actions within our brain is different than other animals, as is its size and complexity, and yet this only explains that process of our thoughts, not really explaining why this difference has occurred. It's here that some might turn to philosophy or theology for their answers, with claims that we've been blessed with divine providence over the world, or some might say we're only smarter animals by a certain measure of degrees, and that we still belong within life's natural order. I'm not a scientist, nor a philosopher and no theological theories fit my views. 

I'm conscious...and aware that this is so. 

something extraordinary indeed. 

so the question for me isn't how I found myself here, or even to ask why - those are inquiries of science and philosophy and for me it's enough to just be alive, aware that something extraordinary has occurred, a miracle really, a gift. I am bewildered by my stance here, a mystery, every moment seems so spontaneous, with life is so freely given, everything simply appearing, and that I'm somehow in the very midst of it all. 

for many years my question was - who am I? 

and now, through the effort of continuously asking, I can honestly say...

I don't know. 

but it's something extraordinary, and completely natural as well, belonging fully to the circumstances of my surroundings, part of the environment itself and that includes an all pervasive intelligence, consciousness. Do I have certain proof of this? It's a bold claim to say that consciousness is all - and yet I only have my life to offer, the mystery of my own existence and that it includes my conscious understanding of the world. I have no answers, no speculations, just this life amidst the seamless display of my awareness. 

I don't offer this as proof.

only that I am...

and it's something extraordinary indeed. 

~

Peace, Eric