Adorable depths

It must be some sort of dramatic exercise to explore all the ranges of being, probably knowing from years of experience that feelings are tools, but not the ultimate reality. Masters of destiny and imitators of character probably find it some mission to conquer and handle the ups and downs we create for distraction...

allowing for clearer distinction between those who can't live without cappuccinos and pedicures, and those whose bones rattle daily and jar in tune with compression blasts of missiles and mortars.

I'm not feeling patriotic today though. Only half-concerned for the direction our country is heading, this vacation is deserved, this space-to-think all worthwhile. Each time I get away from it all, and let the truth settle in, I'm clearer that I have less responsibility for any of the world's chaos and disorder. I'm slowly becoming part of the "really, there's nothing we can do about it" crowd.

Identifying with learned helplessness may be part of the journey, doubtful though. I've warded off such lazy thinking for too many years, but like Pavlov's dumb salivating dog, or that mouse in the maze with no actual cheese or good outcome...eventually, a surrendered heart is the only way to go.

Mice know this, dogs do too, probably even porcupines if you really sat down and thought about it. The faithful use of what we've been given, through God's will and not our own, is the only sure path to a compassionate supply of cheese. Ask Bertrand Russell.