It's Thanksgiving time again. But with unemployment what it is, the economy not quite where we all hoped it might be, and all of us cutting corners, it might be a good idea this year to focus on the everyday things, in the heavens and on Earth, for which we should be thankful. Let's take a look at some of these gifts as a friendly, gentle reminder that there really is a lot to be grateful for.
The air we breathe on this planet could not be a better mix. Most of it is composed of the almost inert gas, nitrogen. Only about 20 percent of it is life-giving oxygen, which is exactly how much we need for a beautiful life on this orb. Any more and fires on the planet flame out of control in a heartbeat, any less and complex life like our own slows or stops.
There is just enough carbon dioxide ---- less than 1 percent ---- to keep the plants alive and yet still act as a warm blanket on the planet. And the amount of water vapor is just enough to give us our water cycle. It's not too much so as too heat us all up because water vapor is a greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide, nor is it so paltry as to parch the planet into a desert wasteland.
Our perfect surface is such a collection of wonders it would take a book to write of all its amazing characteristics. Suffice it to say now that our continents, seas, plate tectonics, mountains, volcanoes, quantity of land and oceans ---- everything under our feet ---- are all made to order for a pleasant time on this rocky planet. There is not a better combination of air, sea, and land that we know of. And we have it!
But don't stop at our planet for things to be thankful for. Above our heads are the sun and moon. Our sun, that great giver of heat and light, is not your average star. Most stars, by far, are smaller, less energetic wimpy stars not well-suited to provide for a planet like ours. Many stars are bigger and spew out far more lethal doses of radiation than our star could dream of.
The moon, our own solitary satellite, keeps our planet balanced on its axis and holds the tides in perfect check. Moreover, both the sun and moon are at the just-right distances to do their work to perfection.
These are just a few of the hundreds of everyday things around us that we have been genuinely blessed with, but which we often take for granted. And these glorious stalwarts are above and beyond any trials that our present state of things can throw us. Be thankful!
Contact Mark Ritter at ritter777@gmail.com.
