For every once upon a time there must be a story to follow, because if a story doesn't, something else will, and it might not be as harmless as a story.

People are too complicated to have simple labels.

You are dead- what am I speaking to?

I will love you for ever, whatever happens. Till I die and after I die, and when I find my way out of the land of the dead I'll drift about forever, all my atoms, till I find you again.

Religion begins in story. Yes, it does, because religion is an attempt to make sense of what is incomprehensible to us, what is inexplicable, what is awe-inspiring, what is frightening, what moves us to great wonder, and so on. That is the religious impulse, and it is part of our psychological makeup -- of everyone's psychological makeup.

Just sort of relax your mind and say yes, it does hurt, I know. Don't try and shut it out.

You speak of destiny as if it was fixed.