THUNDERSTRUCK

For a few decades, I have had a recurrent thought: how can you not be absolutely thunderstruck just by being alive on this planet? How can you not be astonished, awed, amazed…how can you not walk around every day with your jaw dropped? You are conscious in this universe, a sentient being, as they say. This universe has billions of galaxies, apparently. It also has hummingbirds that weigh a few grams and migrate thousands of miles. It has whales and bugs and lasers and can openers. Ad infinitum…how can you not live in perpetual amazement?

For decades I have thought this, so imagine my surprise to learn that Albert Einstein said the same thing, to wit: “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. His eyes are closed.” Ya. How can a guy with hair like that be wrong?

He also said, “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” Yay Albert. I think he was thunderstruck.