> This leads to my first hypothesis: that what is bothering me is this very dichotomy that exists between "me" and "them." The world of "me" consists not only of me, but also of several other people; including, now that I think about it, every person I call a "friend." There is probably something to that. The world of "them," on the other hand, consists of people I don't understand - people whose motives, goals, and attitudes are totally inexplicable to me. People who would write on a notebook that they haven't purchased after the clerk expressly asks them not to. People who would ask the same question repeatedly because they think maybe on repetition they'd get the answer they wanted. People who do not seem descended from the strain that ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
>

> Dar "lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life..." ien


I was going to respond to this thread in the very beginning with something akin to the idea below, but not only am I just not feeling eloquent these days, but I thought it was a little inconsistent of me, the Princess of Road- And All Other-Rages, to proffer the concept. Then I saw this today (in my shrink's office, no less), and it struck me enough that I thought it might strike you, too. After all, life is in the striving, probably, and not necessarily the succeeding. It's written by Mother Theresa, of all people.


People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.



Mou"The world is too much with us"sie