What Is It All Worth, Anyway?

One of the ways that we are able to place a value on something is to evaluate how special or unique it happens to be.

Although the human body is composed of many elements taking part in the very complex chemistry of life, 96% of our body is composed of only four major elemental ingredients; oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Oxygen and hydrogen are predominately found in the water of our body which is roughly about 60% or so of our total body weight. Some of the other many elements in our body include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and sodium.

All of these properties are utilized by our cells and tissues as part of the amazing and wondrous life process but the raw materials do not have a market value of any significant amount. This is especially true considering that water accounts for more than half of our body weight. I suppose it is possible to estimate the value of our transplantable organs. My guess is that the result would be a fairly large amount of money. Of course an organ such as the heart only has a substantial value when the donor is dead. So, that makes us worth more dead than alive.

Some people turn to religion and spirituality to find meaning and value to our existence. There isn’t anything particularly wrong with this at all. However, do we really need to search beyond this life to find a value in it? Moreover, by constantly doing so are we missing some of the most basic yet valuable aspects to our existence?

Do you remember the last time you were introduced to someone? Can you recall their face lighting up with the recognition of you, a big smile, and a firm handshake? Even if life exists elsewhere in our universe (it probably does and will probably be carbon based if it is anything that we can recognize) the chances that these other life forms will have exactly the same complex life chemistry, the same life history, the same emotional characteristics, the same intellectualism and morality, and the same human experience as us are remote at best. That handshake is rare and precious and more valuable than anything contained in Fort Knox. It is also fair to say that even reaching down to pet a puppy dog and having him wag his tail is something that can only happen here on Earth. All of the creatures here on Earth are a part of the same life family. How we take these experiences for granted is beyond words.

Needless to say the depth of our interactions elevates the significance of their importance and meaning. Hugging someone who you love and telling them so has a worth beyond anything in this world. It is an experience felt only by the two people involved and it can only happen here.

We do not need to appraise the elements in our bodies or search through sacred texts or relics to find a unique and valuable experience in this world. We just need to go outside and wave to our neighbor.

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6 thoughts on “What Is It All Worth, Anyway?”

  1. I’m pretty sure I could substantially increase my worth by simply swallowing my wife jewelry collection. Gold is $1612 USD an ounce right now.

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