It is a kind soul who can look at another’s actions not with disgust and criticism, but with trust that they made the best choice they could at that single moment in their life.

Sometimes life seems such a heavy burden to bear. We let problems grow out of proportion. It swallows us up. We lie trapped under a pile of dirty dishes, unable to move, unable to find the way.

Despite our wish that the center of our lives will hold firm, it never does. Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope — a slight change, and all the patterns alter. — Sharon Salzberg

So we hide. We create lives we show the outside world which hide who we really are. Only problem is, that pretend life never does fit as comfortably as real life. We feel the drain of carrying this other life around with us all the time.

We're like that, you and I. We become what we practice. We echo the attitude we surround ourselves with. We live the life we repeat. We do what we've learned to do. And, we do it over and over and over again.

Single-minded emphasis produces single-talented kids. Balance takes varied experiences and experiences takes time; and there is no substitute for time.

Like the striking yellow and black finch, we fly through a life of relative ease and contentment. We are attracted to fellow finches and repulsed by those who look different.

It is easy to become discouraged when the lion's share of the attention falls on one or two. Some folks seem made for attention. They thrive on it, work better in the midst of it. But all the attention in the world wouldn't have helped Neil Armstrong get back to earth if Michael Collins had decided to grab a little attention of his own and fly on home without him.

Yet, without acceptance of the other’s regret, forgiveness is not complete.