Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.  Arthur C. Clarke

I’m one of those people who don’t make New Year’s resolutions, or at least that’s what I tell everyone. And to some degree, it’s true. I don’t make weight-loss resolutions or vow to make all of my own clothes, but I do understand that when a new cycle begins the Wheel of Time is in some way reset, like a cosmic glitch, and in the depths of eternity we are given a chance to start again.

This year, as we begin again, I’m thinking about aliens. Yep, aliens, little green men, ET, aliens. Actually, I’m thinking about the lack of them and how terrifying the prospect of being alone is. While we indulge ourselves in Hollywood fantasies about benevolent and nefarious aliens alike, the fact remains there is no credible scientific evidence that there is life of any sort anywhere else but here, on the Earth. If this is the case and we are alone, it makes how we behave towards our planet and each other more meaningful than even our most venerated of prophets could imagine.

If we are alone, and this planet is the only one in all of Space and Time that can sustain life, then our individual and collective responsibilities are behemoth. Whether or not we believe in Intelligent Design or a random Big Bang, the result is the same: if we are alone, we are indeed special, each and every one of us is more unique than we can possibly fathom. We owe it to ourselves to cultivate our knowledge of ourselves and the Earth. If we assume we are alone, surely we would understand how valuable the life-giving and life-sustaining systems of the Earth are. We would look at other people and other beings that share this blessed place with us in a whole new light. Because if we are indeed alone in Creation, then we need each other to survive.

As the wheel turns, I’m going to try to look at the world as if we are alone, as if the Earth and her inhabitants are the only life anywhere. I think it might make a difference in my life. Just the thought gives me goose bumps.

Happy New Year.