Ummm... That's really deeeeeeep!! It's left me wondering too........................ And I, too, want to know the answers!

"Why cant I just accept things for what they arewhat it is?" -- Welcome to the human race, kind soul. Excellent, most thoughtful written work! I agree we all get brought to the shore at some point. But I see 'schools' of fish ''together'' in the water. Like maybe us humans should be???

I have learned the answers and understanding is not as important as learning to embrace it and live it, or live through it if that be the case. Sometimes that undertow will drag you out again before you make shore.

I think much of our confusion comes from what society tells us is acceptable, being in conflict with what our experience, inner knowledge, and logic shows us as acceptable. We live in a twisted society that says guns are fine but love is not, as exemplified by the movie rating system! As for control, the mystics (including Jesus) tell us, "As above, so below." Picture it so, will it so, pray it so; when it manifests in Heaven, it will cascade to Earth. Magic works, but the first step is actually desiring the control.

Ginny, Such powerfully written words! I know how you feel, I have asked myself those same questions repeatedly through the years. I will try to keep this as short as possible but want to comment on some of the things you said. I understand sky13point1's viewpoint. However for me personally, those questions were what I asked myself, trying to make sense of the madness I lived through for the first 17 years of my life. At 54, I at times still grapple with these questions, but other times I can see partial answers. Perhaps some might say this is a fatalistic attitude, but I believe people who think they control their lives, live under an illusion of safety. No one is really safe, as London, 9/11 and Oklahoma City have proved. The only thing we control is how we react to what happens around, and to us, and how we treat others. Many people like us don't know what 'normal' is. I used to watch people so I would know how to 'act normal'. Main things to think about and then I will submit this. Some parents are just crappy, lousy parents. We can run, but we can't hide. If you accept things for what they are, is that defeat, or acceptance? One thing I do know. You are a strong lady. You have helped me immensly. We just keep putting one foot in front of the other! Blessings to you and yours...Leanndra

Isnt it just a strange world we live in, so many choices yet we end up having most of them for us by that which surrounds us. Yet we can still skip happily along our own path often oblivious that the choice was ever there. Are we pawns? Or do we really have control? I agree with all your question, I understand your uncontrollable luck of explaining the completely unexplainable and explainable (my what a mouthful). But you as always use such a compelling text even if the words written take us nowhere, we are still out of breath by the time we come back. Take care Ben ;0) PS no sign yet and today is the due date so anytime know ;0)

No need to explain babes... no need at all.