"We can consciously end our life almost anytime we choose. This ability is an endowment, like laughing and blushing, given to no other animal... in any given moment, by not exercising the option of suicide, we are choosing to live"

Peter McWilliams' quote provides a profound reflection on human autonomy and the existential choices we make daily. At its core, the quote highlights the special human capability for self-awareness and conscious decision-making, setting us apart from other animals. McWilliams highlights the concept that the capability to contemplate and pick whether to continue living or to end one's life is an intrinsic part of the human experience, comparable to other uniquely human traits such as chuckling and blushing.

This capability for option is framed as an "endowment", recommending it is a natural present or benefit. The mention of chuckling and blushing evokes the emotional and social complexities inherent in being human. These qualities symbolize our capability to experience a vast array of emotions and reactions, deeply linked with our cognitive professors. In this context, the alternative of suicide is presented not as a recommendation but rather as a testimony to the extensive depth of our freedom to pick.

Furthermore, McWilliams stresses that this choice is constantly present. By specifying that "in any given minute, by not exercising the alternative of suicide, we are picking to live", he points to the continuous, often unconscious, decision-making process associated with daily living. The act of selecting life is depicted as a continuous affirmation of our presence, even if it's a choice made passively or without specific recommendation.

Eventually, McWilliams' reflection encourages a much deeper gratitude of life as a continuous option. It welcomes readers to knowingly acknowledge the quiet choices they make every day about their existence and to recognize the tremendous power and responsibility intrinsic in such options. This viewpoint can likewise promote a higher sense of appreciation and intentionality in one's life, highlighting the beauty and weight of human firm in shaping one's destiny.