What if our fellow creatures, plant and animal, perceive being alive from the “this is awesome” perspective – what if they are innately optimistic, content, with faith that gifts will always arrive in some form or quantity. If gifts are scarce in times of lack then they are appreciated all the more.
How opposite from our own landscape of addiction, and our frustration at the slightest diminishing of pleasure?
We have evolved away from contentment. We have invented ourselves into discontentment. The Buddha may have it wrong: perhaps only we humans suffer, and we project our suffering upon our all our fellow creatures.
Imagine instead (in a rare moment undistracted by craving), that the sensations we feel are actually our connection with all beings. It is not their suffering we feel, but their happiness.
Take a moment and feel this. It might give you a wee bit of joy.