Often things are as bad as they seem.

If I am transparent enough to myself, then I can become less afraid of those hidden selves that my transparency may reveal to others. If I reveal myself without worrying about how others will respond, then some will care, though others may not. But who can love me, if no one knows me? I must risk it, or live alone. It is enough that I must die alone. I am determined to let down my walls, whatever the risks, if it means that I may have whatever is there for me.

So it is that there is nothing to be taught, but yet there is something to be learned.

It is not possible to know how much is just enough, until we have experienced how much is more than enough. (64)

Sometimes it seems to me that in this absurdly random life there is some inherent justice in the outcome of personal relationships. In the long run, we get no more than we have been willing to give.

All of the truly important battles are waged within the self. (7)

Again and again I find that my own inner counselor, my secret dreaming self, is not only wise and helpful but usually amusing as well.