An Atomic Reality (You have to imagine this printed on a sheet of paper)

[xa123]

There is no real difference between you and this sheet of paper that you are reading. You might think differently, for you have feelings, and can see, and love. Paper, of course, can not. But these are not necessary qualities to possess if your sole purpose is to “be.” An atom of carbon (which exists in paper) can not think or feel, nor can it see, all of which humans are capable of doing; but the fact remains that it still “is.” All of our biological functions (breathing, seeing, thinking, etc.) arise, consequently, from the unique arrangement of particular atoms in a region of space. The shape of your body, the color of your eyes, and your height, are all governed by specific sequences of atoms.
If you could view each individual atom clearly, as a separate entity, this entire planet we inhabit would be a mural of energy. You would not be able to distinguish a human or a plant from a mineral or the Earth itself, even though each object (in our present reality) seems to be very different. Now, would you agree that you and this sheet of paper are quite similar?
We, as an organic based molecular organism, are crafted from the stars shining bright in space. The fusion of hydrogen into helium (which makes a star shine) are some of the earliest interactions between matter in the universe; all other atoms spawned from the fusion of hydrogen. We would not be alive today if stars did not exist; you can think of them as our legitimate ancestral mother! Next time you gaze up at the stars, remember to whisper, “Thank you.”

[John Lark]

We would not be alive today if our
parents did not exist, but few would think
to thank them, let alone their grandparents
or distant ancestors, yet here there is
a very direct relation, in every sense.

This, nonetheless, is a sound observation.
The ontological point raised is a good one, it has profound implications.
I thank you for your insight.

[YesNo]

Assuming we are the arrangement of atoms that make up our bodies, I guess we would be no different that any inanimate object around us.

However, if the arrangement of atoms that make up our bodies is just the current coat we are wearing, then the question goes deeper. And the question of who we are becomes more interesting.

The best evidence that there is more to us than the arrangement of atoms comes from people who tell of near-death experiences.

[OrphanPip]

The best evidence that there is more to us than the arrangement of atoms comes from people who tell of near-death experiences.

No it doesn't, people have delusional experiences all the time.

Anyway, most of the point in the OP is entirely moot to anyone who received a basic high school education in chemistry. The idea of thanking the stars for us existing is absurd, this reverence of nature is merely hand waving, nature merely is and we merely are. No need to pad those observations with romantic drivel.

[Silas Thorne]

I was driving a few days ago and a sheet of newspaper floated in front of the car. It was beautiful, and I thought of it as a world some minute travellers from another reality existed on, and then ran over it with my front tyres.

[indigo dormant]

I am here and the paper is not here: real difference.