Yes, bears have a better sense of smell because they need it; yes, eagles have better eyes because they need them; yes, lions can run faster because they must, but….

Have you ever noticed that you can feel whether the ultra-thin looseleaf you just picked up is one sheet or two? Amazing. Because of that sense we can play piano and caress a lover. Poor bears. Have you ever noticed that thousands of hairs can hang down your neck or over your temples, but only the single hair that is unattached “itches” enough that you can tell it is not part of you anymore and you must pick it away? Poor lions. Have you ever noticed you can tell which family member is walking up the stairs by the mere sound signature of her walk? You cannot hear what dogs hear, but you can tell when the alto next to you is singing a B flat instead of a B. Poor eagles. With practice, you can tell twins apart. You can type 50 words per minute. You can tell when your wife says “whatever” whether she really means it doesn’t matter to her or it really matters a lot. Poor eagles can’t laugh. Or kiss.

I will admit that I am making unfair comparisons, and I believe most comparisons are pointless. For example, who is the better artist, Van Gogh or Matisse? Good luck with that one. The point is that we need not make comparisons to animals to realize our magnificence. We can do almost anything we choose with desire and practice. We can read. We can read music. We can love. We can remember. My wife tells me anyone can learn to draw. If you don’t believ\e her, page through any book by Betty Edwards, especially Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Consider all the things a quarterback, a point guard, or a pitcher can do at the same time. Look at a pianist very closely and you will see how his left hand can play independently of his right hand, as if he has two brains, which he does.

For us, even the ordinary is magnificent. Dot an “i.” Waltz or moon walk. If you want to learn to play guitar, really want to, you can. Anyone. If you want to write a book, really want to, you can. If I can, you can.

So what is next for us? In our magnificence, I believe we will soon cure cancer by identifying and limiting the proteins and other compounds that cancer cells need to reproduce. We will also learn to program our T cells, the infection killers in our bodies, how to tell the difference between cancer cells and normal cells. Even better, we will learn what turns cancer cells on to prevent them from happening.

In our magnificence. we will learn to communicate in ways that are respectful, non-violent, and enlightened. Heaven knows (and heaven really does know), we need that amazing skill right now in this political year. Read Non-Violent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg, who studied under Carl Rogers at the University of Wisconsin.

In our magnificence, we will solve our energy needs. It will be electrical, solar, and biological, not petroleum-based.

It’s time to get excited. As the poster by George Takei says, “Your excuse is invalid.”