We receive sensory input and process it, having our own point of view to the world. That makes us sentient, and nothing very different from bacteria who can also sense the world and react to it. But our consciousness lets us perceive the world, then reflect upon our perceptions. Like me right now: using my consciousness to contemplate consciousness.
I like how a moment can become textured because of our awareness of it. I try to remind myself to be present, to live in the moment, because my awareness and consciousness is a beautiful beautiful gift that lets me experience the depth of an experience unbound by time and space.