“So many people sleep through life, hardly aware of what’s happening around them,” said the skeptic.

“Oh yeah?” his friend said. “What is it we’re missing?”

“I didn’t mean you, necessarily,” the skeptic said.

“Granted. I’m still curious. What are all the sleepers missing?”

“The beauty of the sunshine. The worried look in their neighbor’s face that could be partially cured by a smile. The fullness of a deep breath. A lot of simple things that add up to...