Sometimes, I realize just how much this world around me truly means. I am a part of the world and it is a part of me. This wonderful planet is my home, I think it can be too easy to forget that. 

I’ve started keeping a list of things that I think are perfect, a list of moments that bring true joy, and this world, our world provides nearly all. The rest of those perfect moments come from the people of the world. The other humans, those who are so much more similar to me than I think they ever get credit for. 

The next time you get the chance, make sure you look at the way the light hits the world at 5:20 pm in the second or third week of February. I look forward to that week all year, it brings tears to my eyes at least once each time. In that short range of time, I swear the entire world is aglow and magic is real and I am happy. No matter what, I am happy.

Have you ever really watched leaves falling from trees? Have you ever really paid attention to the way that snow can drift? Have you ever spared half a second to notice the way that grass can sway in the breeze on a summer afternoon? This world is beautiful and wondrous and perfect and somehow it is ours. Don’t forget it. Don’t allow yourself to take it for granted for even an instant.

From here on out I have one goal. I set no New Year’s resolutions and I’ve made no concrete plans. There is only one thing I can guarantee, I will learn to love this world that I have. I will not let myself waste another moment disregarding it as a given. Our world, our solitary spinning blue marble, is not a given. There is no rule saying it must stay as it is. Our small, temporary existence has destroyed the gift we’ve received, but I am going to love it anyway.

I know that I have hurt this habitat myself. I wish that I could take our world into my arms and tell it that everything will be okay. The issue is, it won’t be. Everything is not just going to be okay because I will it to be so. The water’s polluted, the air’s polluted, the ground, the plants, the animals, everything in sight. But, from this day forward, I can guarantee that I’ll try. 

I am grateful to have this Earth. I’m appreciative of every sweet, smooth breath I get to take on this planet. Oh, what a relief it is to know that I have a home as great as this one. I will take every opportunity to embrace it all. I will live this life with joy and pride and I will not waste a second. This world, our world, deserves it all