What Am I?

What exactly are you, and why are you?

Why do you exist at this precise moment, rather than at any other point in time?

Why do you exist as this particular individual, rather than another?

Why are you a human being, rather than a member of another species? Is there something special about being a human rather than a donkey, gorilla, or sardine?

This existence is so invaluable, yet so ephemeral. While material particles persist almost eternally, morphing from one form to another, why is consciousness—another product of this universe—so fleeting and volatile?

Are we truly fortunate to be humans? We may be the only species cognizant of the fact that existence is temporary and death is inevitable.