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    “Whether you go through life believing that ‘people are inherently good’ or ‘people are inherently bad,’ you will find daily proof to support your case.  Both parties, the philanthropists and the misanthropes, simply filter disconfirming evidence (evidence to the contrary) and focus on the do-gooders and dictators who support their worldviews.” ~ Rolf Dobelli, The Art of Thinking Clearly

      “People that make you laugh are more beautiful than beautiful people.” ~ Iain Thomas, I Wrote This For You

        “The bad news is, people are crueler, meaner and more evil than you’ve ever imagined.  The good news is, people are kinder, gentler and more loving than you’ve ever dreamed.” ~ Iain Thomas, I Wrote This For You

        The Place Where You Get Off

          The Place Where You Get Off

          Photo by Jon Ellis

          Outside the station, she stands with her child on the side of the street, taking pictures of cars.

          You think she’s insane. Until, one day, you notice that she’s taking pictures of the license plates of the cars her child gets into.

          Because you look. But you do not see.

          And she walks out the shop with bags full of cat food. You think she’s some crazy cat lady until you find out, she has no cats.

          Because you eat. But you do not taste.

          It’s been a while since their last album but he assures you, he’s doing just fine these days, white flecks in his nostrils. Then he asks you if he can spend the night on your couch, even though it stinks.

          Because you sniff. But you do not smell.

          And they say “Just OK” when you ask them how school was. Then you wonder what they’re hiding until you find their diary and the last entry reads “I wish you’d give me some privacy.”

          Because you listen. But you do not hear.

          And they’ve got a bruise over their eye and you run the tips of your fingers over it and ask them how it happened. You believe them. Until it happens again.

          Because you touch. But you do not feel.

          And they walk past you everyday, one million stories, each waiting to be told. Waiting for you to ask.

          Because you live. But very few, love.

          —— —— ——

          The above was a poem from the book, I Wrote This For You by Iain Thomas.

            “We’re here to connect. Love, time, death. Now these three things connect every single human being on earth. We long for love, we wish we had more time and we fear death.” ~ Howard Inlet (Will Smith), Collateral Beauty

              “Someone who speaks badly to us may have been spoken to in exactly the same way just the day before, or by his alcoholic father when he was a child.  When we see and understand these kinds of causes, we can begin to be free from our anger.  I am not saying that someone who viciously attacks us should not be disciplined.  But what is most important is that we first take care of the seeds of negativity in ourselves.  Then if someone needs to be helped or disciplined, we will do so out of compassion, not anger and retribution.  If we genuinely try to understand the suffering of another person, we are more likely to act in a way that will help him overcome his suffering and confusion, and that will help all of us.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step

                “Anger is rooted in our lack of understanding of ourselves and of the causes, deep-seated as well as immediate, that brought about this unpleasant state of affairs.  Anger is also rooted in desire, pride, agitation, and suspicion.  The primary roots of our anger are in ourselves.  Our environment and other people are only secondary.  It is not difficult for us to accept the enormous damage brought about by a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a flood.  But when damage is caused by another person, we don’t have much patience.  We know that earthquakes and floods have causes, and we should see that the person who has precipitated our anger also has reasons, deep-seated and immediate, for what he has done.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step

                  “In our daily lives, we may see the people around us, but if we lack mindfulness, they are just phantoms, not real people, and we ourselves are also ghosts.  Practicing mindfulness enables us to become a real person.  When we are a real person, we see real people around us, and life is present in all its richness.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step