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Harmony
There are more than one right ways.
Written, edited, & compiled by John Joseph Rohrer Copyright 2013 John Joseph Rohrer Ne !tandard "#blications !econd $dition

License Note
%his boo&let as intended 'or the good o' all, so by all means ( copy and share it 'reely)

%able o' Contents

*ntrod#ction +p,-. /rea&ing %hro#gh +p,0. 1cceptance +p,0. $mpathy 'rom *nsight +p,2. 1 !o#l "ast *ts Censor +p,2. %he $thics o' H#mor +p,3. *t 4eels 5ood to 6o 5ood +p,10. *n the Conte7t o' 8irt#e +p,10. Hea9en:s /irth +p,11. 4rom 1nger to 4aith +p,12. Con'lict Resol#tion +p,12. "ositi9ity *s ;ey +p,13. ;indred !o#ls +p,13. No $nd< +p,1=. >acro !el' +p,1=. %he /irth o' ?ight +p,1-. 4#ndamental 1#tonomy +p,1-. "erspecti9e %a&ing +p,1@. $motional Climate +p,1@. 5i9e +p,10. %he !igni'icance o' $motion +p,10. 1 Healthy !pirit +p,12. 1sserti9eness+p,12. Con'ident Competence & Radical 1cceptance +p,20. A9ercoming >is#nderstanding +p,21. %emperament +p,22. 1ddiction in "erspecti9e +p,2=. Wisdom o' Regard +p,2-. Healthy Con9ersation +p,2@. B#iet >ind & Apen Heart +p,2@. $mpathy:s *nta&e +p,20. /aggage +p,20. %he 5ossamer o' Hope +p,22. %he 5enesis o' Joy +p,22.

/rea&ing the Co&e +p,23. $9er Ne HoriDons +p,23. "#rpose< +p,23. 1n 1d9ent#re 1'ter 1ll +p,30. Wisdom 'or the Reaching o' a 6ream +p,31. %he >a&er:s Will +p,31. $asy +p,32. %herape#tic >editation +p,32. A'' the /ac& the Ender the /ridge +p,33. Enderstanding +p,33. 1''inity +p,33. 1 !#nset !ets the !tage +p,3=. *:m Not 1lone< +p,3=. %he !o#l o' Harmony +p,3-. 4o#ndations o' the Heart +p,3-. 5ood %hings Happen %oo +p,3@. %ribes o' the Apen Heart +p,3@. %o Concei9e o' Harmony +p,30. Abligation:s $nd +p,30. Witho#t Reser9e +p,32. !o ?i&e %he !#n +p,32. 6ancing 5oddess +p,33. %he "ath to Harmony +p,33. Ways +p,=0. %o H#maniDe 'or Harmony +p,=0. Con'idence in ?o9e +p,=1. %he Ca#se o' /etterment +p,=1. !pirit:s /est +p,=1. $ach !o#l Worthy +p,=2. %he 5i't o' ?i'e +p,=2. 1 4#t#re 6reamt +p,=2. Nat#rally 6i9ine +p,=3. Nat#rally *ntended +p,=3. %herapy 'or %herapists +p,=3. !&in +p,==. $nd#rance o' 1ss#rance +p,==.

Worth and Wisdom +p,==. ?o9e 1li9e +p,=-.

*ntrod#ction Harmony ( hen t o or more indi9id#als complement each other hile maintaining the #niF#e character hich de'ines each, %he 9aried contents o' this p#blication are aimed at ill#strating and inspiring Gpea& e7periencesH in the social sphere, as the late inno9ator 1braham >aslo might ha9e p#t it, Whether rich or poor, #rban or r#ral, liberal or conser9ati9e, yo#r bonds are strengthened by the harmony hich arises hen yo# realiDe that o#r di''erences can be a good thing ( that they enrich o#r potential and open o#r minds to other ays o' thin&ing and being, %his short collection o' literary or&s on social harmony is at times a teacher, at times an escape 'rom the stressors o' modern li'e, and at times a tool 'or the opening o' the mind, * ha9e organiDed it simply 'or the 'lo o' one idea to the ne7t ( tho#gh the beginning and the end ha9e been care'#lly selected, !o there are no chapters in this collection ( only @2 brie' compositions, as o#tlined in the %able o' Contents, %his compilation o' creati9e riting begins by tac&ling basic social dys'#nction and ends ith the clos#re created by some care'#lly selected poetry ( the intent o' hich is to enable the rein'orcement o' the essential h#man F#alities o' hope and lo9e, "erhaps yo# are beginning to en9ision the potential hich rests ithin these =- brie' pages,

constit#ted by only the best o' my ritings on the s#bIect o' harmonic respect and di''erenceJ s#blimation, G*' yo# ha9e made it this 'ar, perhaps yo# are illing to come a bit '#rther,H rote the inimitable !tephen ;ing hen %he !ha shan& Redemption as I#st a short story in the or&s, and it seems appropriate no , as * rite this introd#ction ith the goal o' preparing yo# 'or the Io#rney hich is to come, sho#ld yo# decide to read this 9ol#me o' perspecti9es and insights, Wishing yo# the best, John Joseph Rohrer

K/rea&ing %hro#ghK WhoLs right< WhoLs rong< Will e9ery side e9er agree< Whose 9ersion o' e9ents tr#ly represents reality< Whose arg#ments donLt ha9e another hal' thatLs contradictory to the 'raction that that 'action holds o' the hole story< %hings seeming tr#e to me donLt ma&e sense to yo#, Can reality e7ceed a point o' 9ie < Can one see past oneLs past< Can * brea& thro#gh hat *L9e been thro#gh< 6o o#r eyes see di''erent h#es< What is li'e li&e in di''erent shoes< *' * choose to admit that * donLt &no , hat do * lose< ,,, hen the alls are do n, hen eL9e made it thro#gh, and hen e spea& ith lo9e, in no desire to control or to de'end all that e spend o#r li9es clinging to, e seeM e donLt need it, hen e brea& thro#gh, K1cceptanceK >otion e9er tr#e in per'ect time is only hat e ha9e, What can * say that ill bear tr#e<

1loneN%ogether no e start to #nderstand each otherO only go ith it i' itLs yo#, Enchain yo#r spirit, Enco#th yo#r mind, Enleash yo#r heart, and yo# may gro to 'ind that there are so many ays to be, so many things to see, so many hearts to &no , K$mpathy 'rom *nsightK * learn, thro#gh introspection, o' the process o' my so#l, and this in'orms my bestJg#essed empathies 'or those hose minds con9ey at least cohesi9e traits, at most, insightJe7pression and hat more is there 'or those o' #s hoL9e risen beyond 9apid pointlessness, to pleas#res o' intimacy< K1 !o#l "ast *ts CensorK !imple spirit, bright and arm, o' 'riendshipLs s#btle gi9e and ta&e ( e rise ab#ndant 'rom its lo9eO

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in con'idence, eLre 'ree to be o#rsel9es ( to let o#r censors go, in time, and realiDe o#r orld9ie s, conscientio#s, yet mis#nderstood, in time e7pressible and c#red, de9eloped I#st to li9e li'e right, 'or that is s#ch a beingLs cares, and that de'ines e9ery so#l ( the 9ast di9ersity o' ho e li9e o#r many li9esL #niF#e Io#rneys here and there, G%he $thics o' H#morH H#mor +the abs#rd. delights in la#ghter:s bright appreciation, Wrong is ,,right, in h#mor:s sight, here dissonance rings 'ree in seiD#re:s Ioy, itho#t a care that rong is rong, not someho right, that tragedy:s not comedy, in tr#th, that happiness in horror contradicts the conscience and addicts the so#l to in9erse ethic, th#s eroding one:s integrity o' basic social care, Cet, this is not to say that h#mor m#st ride others: painO abs#rdity e7ists in many 'orms besides the bad, li&e simple, sel'Je''acing silliness or serendipito#s s#rprise, s#blime as stressJresol9ing boon #pon the mood that ma&es one 'eel so b#bbly, open, and more con'idently 'ree,

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*s there a better ay to be< Joy 'or the greater good ( ellness and harmony seem socially so right to be, o#r h#mors m#ltiplying synergistically ( the basic ethical s#ccess o' mind'#lness in comedy, G*t 4eels 5ood to 6o 5oodH Wor&ing to ma&e others happier is its o n re ardM *t strengthens one:s relationships, *t 'eels good to one:s empathy, *t 'eels good to one:s conscience, *t 'eels good to one:s sel'Jesteem, K*n the Conte7t o' 8irt#eK * raise my head to praise the hea9ens, h#mble o' the miracle that there is anything at all, >y conscio#sness ( I#st one o' an incomprehensibility o' so#ls ( is mine alone, a lonely tragedy, transcended in the rare intimacies *L9e come to &no as possible thro#gho#t the years o' many 'riends ( treas#res o' pleas#re and a meas#re o' painO and hat else really is there 12

'or a deeply social so#l< $motions in the conte7t o' o#r 9irt#e let #s 'ind o#r roles in li'e, ascended 'rom s#ch sentimental 'o#ndations, to realiDe o#r lo'ty goals o' greater good in harmony, * or&, that this not die ith me, b#t li9e in #s 'or long eno#gh to deem e7istence, ethical s#ccess, KHea9enLs /irthK * ish to li9e a story hich transcends its tragedies, >y only ish may only come to li'e as * come to acceptance ( people are ho people are, so my test is to see so brightlyM all are lo9able and ise in ays *L9e ne9er &no n be'ore, !#ccess in this means stronger and more intimate relationships, '#l'illing o' o#r nat#ral desires 'or social bliss, thro#gh harmony, Can any state o' mind rise higher than this lo9ing tri#mph< Read again, and let it sin& into yo#r parched and 'ertile earth, to 'oster '#ller, 'reed '#l'illment, 'rom the time o' Hea9enLs birth,

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Ltil all m#st end, 'or each o' e ho learn to li9e in conscience 'irst and 'oremost, see&ing simply hat is best 'or all, so m#ch e care, 'or so m#ch #nI#st Hell ha9e e been thro#gh, e 'oc#s on the 'air, and b#ild 'rom there, hat e are see&ing to reclaim, K4rom 1nger to 4aithK "eople get mi''ed, 'ight ti''s, split ri'ts, the h#rt that e e7perience, a serio#s shi't in the direction o' the negati9e, needing a li't to gro#nd le9el, ready to 9ie li'e as a gi't again,, and e9ery li9ing so#l, a s i'tly li&eable 'riend, 5ood 9ibes are only hat * am trying to send, to 'ind some harmony thatLs o''ering more sanity than modern day society can comprehend, di9isi9e as it can be, teaching o' mentalities regarding all Kenemies,K rendered so preI#dicially, beg#iling o' certainty, 'omenting '#rther tragedy, hen all e ha9e to do is see and care eno#gh to be the change e ish to 'ind, KCon'lict Resol#tionK Reacti9e I#dgment escalates the tension 'elt on e9ery side, hich p#shes each

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to spea& and act in 'ightJorJ'light discardings o' hat relationship is possible 'or any ho are o' the gro#nd o' care, $7press yo#r 'eelings, not yo#r I#dgments, ?earn to introspect hen yo# are h#rtO spea& o' that pain, K"ositi9ity *s ;eyK * carry ith me, an irrepressible positi9ity, not needing to#ghly balanced #nderstandings o' deep, considered empathy to g#ide me tr#e, so indomitably 'orgi9ing and 9ested in lo9ing 'aith ha9e * become, in this ne mood o' open 9im, An empathy, * sayM Ho important it is that * learn #nconditional 'aith in e9ery li9ing so#l, 'or this may bring me to empathic tr#ths *Ld other ise be so blind to seeing, so rapped #p in lo er moodLs irritability and cynical regard, 1s it ma&es sense that most or all are basically good and orthy so#ls, my positi9ity is &ey, K;indred !o#lsK ?ong is li'e, and Ioy'#l are

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the times o' intimate rapport ith those * 'ind are capable o' s#ch ascended lo9e, %hese are the times hich so enrich and ma&e a lonely li'e orth li9ing, !ocial beings thro#gh and thro#gh, e dream o' hat o#r hearts ere made 'orM interpersonal '#l'illment o' relating ith a &indred so#l and 'eeling less and less alone in that, KNo $nd<K 1ll o' these realities, e7isting all at once, as e li9e, loc&ed ithin o#r o n #niF#eness, !omethings all, hose destinies are Nothingness as indi9id#al so#lJe7pressions of %he 1ll ( hose e9ery li'e ithin bears its o n n#ll e9ent#ality, * say, 1t least e had it once, and Ces, 1t least it cannot e9er end, perhaps,, %hin&ing o' this 'osters an acceptance o' ine9itable death, hich cannot end %he Whole, recycled into it again, again, again, not ending, b#t incessantly ali9e, to itness ith some trillionsL eyes, the bea#ty and the horror hich

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is ca#ght in e9ery li'e, G>acro !el'H 1 state o' being cogniDant o' #ni9ersal #nity and cosmic sense o' sel', diminishing to Ane, the many eyes and ears o' conscio#sness, #niF#e, yet o' %he Whole ( a state o' greater mind'#lness o' all 'orms hich %he 1ll may come to mani'est as, in its only moment:s passing timeP G%he /irth o' ?ightH $nlightenment o' heart and mind, in process o' its mat#ration, 'inds the e7istential '#ndamentals nati9e to e7istence o' a so#l in social conte7t ine7tricably, implying that it:s only right to care ( the 'irst step on a path to greater harmony ( to hat is best 'or all in9ol9ed, ho are a''ected by one:s ords and actions ( prod#cts o' the mindsets o' a 'l#id conscio#sness,

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G4#ndamental 1#tonomyH We are all logicalJemotional beings, ith #niF#e perspecti9es, 9alid ithin o#r respecti9e #nderstandings o' sel' and li'e conte7t, %hat e9ery being has the '#ndamental, a#tonomo#s right to his or her o n perspecti9e, emotions, and non9iolent 9olition, is my primary s#pposition, 1sserting oneLs a#tonomo#s rights in the 'ace o' control, hile respecting the a#tonomies o' others, is one hallmar& o' a sel'Jrespecting and conscientio#s indi9id#al, A' co#rse, a#thorities may impose restrictions on oneLs a#tonomy, a 9iolation o' rights hich one hopes is both necessary and accompanied by e''ecti9e therapies o' moral ed#cation, G"erspecti9e %a&ingH ?earning to acc#rately see all sides in a con'lict amo#nts to social gro th and is cond#ci9e to habit#al consideration, "#nishment and re ard distract 'rom any empathetic #nderstanding o' the comple7ity o' e9ents and ob9io#sly ind#ce sel'J centeredness, teaching one to consider the conseF#ences o' actions 'or oneself, rather than 'or the others hom one may, in li'e, a''ect, G$motional ClimateH "eople, yo#ng and old, are both empathetic

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and reacti9e ( int#iti9ely social beings, psychopaths and some a#tistics not ithstanding, Helping to set a positi9e tone alle9iates stress and con'lict, hile modeling gregario#s etiF#ette and resilience to negati9ity, 1n attit#de o' caring armth can or& onders, as ell, in my e7perience, 'or a str#ggling a#thority, helping to 'oster high regard and 'ello ship all aro#nd, K5i9eK We ho or& 'or a orld orth a&ing #p to, 5i9e ( We gi9e o' o#r gi9en time, Warmly, Honorably, h#mbly, healing, 'or Harmony, H#rts o' esteem in the hope o' s#bliming in 5race, What as 'olly and '#lly maligned >#t#ally, *tLs a test, coe7istence, a choice, 'rom mere %olerance, 5ro ing to ard empathyLs %r#th, 1s e learn to relate and gro past petty Hatreds, /ecoming o' greater comm#nityLs 9irt#o#s Enity, 5oodnessJaligned and ith openJminded "otential, Creating and ma&ing li'e hat e ant it to /e ( Where 9ision may ta&e #s, a a&ened, $nlightened, 5ro ing no e9er to ard 4ree,,, G%he !igni'icance o' $motionH A#r cares add meaning to o#r thoughts, generating o#r emotions, gi9ing o#r li9es the

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significance hich ma&es them matter ethically and to each social soul hose ill is compelled by e9ery 'eeling:s #se'#l energy, described belo M The Acceptance Emotions
Peace ( "romoting harmony ith a calm emotional climate Love ( "romoting harmony ith a caring emotional climate Joy ( "romoting harmony ith a cheerful emotional climate

The Non-Acceptance Emotions

Fear ( Resol9ing con'lict by avoidance Anger ( Resol9ing con'lict by confrontation Sadness ( Resol9ing con'lict by appeal to compassion

G1 Healthy !piritH Hope eno#gh to dreamP 4aith eno#gh to copeP Wisdom, hat to say or do hich 'osters hat is best 'or hom yo# lo9eP b#ilt onM *nsight +&no ledge o' the sel'., hich lets one rightly spea&, asserti9eO $mpathy +to &no another., helping one to peace'#lly relateO and /alanced $thic +recogniDing each so#l:s Worth, hich 'orms the arm 'o#ndation o' $steem.P 1ll 'or o#r !ocial HarmonyP hy e 'eel WellP H1sserti9enessH

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1sserti9eness ( "erhaps yo#:9e heard the ord and some so#l:s #nderstanding o' it, b#t do yo# ha9e a 'irm, '#nctional grasp on this comm#nication style< 4or that matter, hy is this social s&ill so important 'or yo#r partic#lar li'e< *s it really c#reJall 'or yo#r relationships: problems< ?et #s begin by describing its e7treme co#nterparts +passi9eness and aggression. and or& on con9eying the '#nctionality o' asserti9eness as a 'inal point, "assi9eness is hen yo# decline to assert yo#r 9alid needs, concerns, and emotions hich ha9e apparently stemmed 'rom another:s ords or actions, *n deciding not to Gma&e a '#ss,H yo# are perhaps ta&ing the most sel'less and ca#tio#s approach, yet letting problems 'ester itho#t c#rati9e action, 1ggression is hen yo# let an agitated emotion and beha9ior get the better o' yo# and try to get yo#r needs met by e7pressing h#rt'#l ords and actions in response to hat, 'or yo#, is another:s problematic beha9ior, Why doesn:t this or&< *t destroys relationships and dri9es people a ay, enco#raging '#rther con'lict, hen there is almost al ays a more e''ecti9e sol#tion to yo#r social stressor ( li&e asserti9eness, 1sserti9eness is the act o' e7pressing yo#r apparently #nseen or disregarded emotions and needs in a manner hich is nonI#dgmental o' yo#r

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con'lict:s co#nterpart, %he method or&s by gi9ing a caring so#l a conscientio#s reason to change or correct a dys'#nctional beha9ior and heal the ri't created by the problematic ords or act, "assi9ity doesn:t e7press yo#r needs, and aggression I#st creates more con'lict, b#t asserti9eness helps to gro#nd the e7change in a calm, rational tone, allo ing the other so#l to caringly change itho#t the comp#lsion to rebel or ignore others: needs, 1 'inal ord ( e9en asserti9eness isn:t 'oolproo', !ome don:t care, and anger can be almost impossible to separate 'rom an attempt at asserti9eness, ca#sing the problems #s#ally associated ith aggression ( escalated tensions and reacti9e indignation, Cet, it is a 9ital s&ill 'or healthy relationships, While it may not al ays or&, especially as yo# are I#st starting to learn to #se it e''ecti9ely, it may be yo#r best bet at enco#raging a sol#tion hich or&s 'or all concerned indi9id#als in the relationship or sit#ation, Having grace in the face of aggression allows for a more considered response to it. o under-react, with tolerant tact. Assert that you!re hurt and are not without worth. There!s a "etter way than the "itter way. E#pressing concerns without getting stern is one way to help foster peace and harmony, from which arise love and $oy. %e well&

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GCon'ident Competence and Radical 1cceptanceH GEnacceptableH realities o' sit#ation and e9ent may glare distractingly in one:s mind, 'or better or 'or orse, Ane ho:s 'i7ated in s#ch a ay may con'ront s#ch problems ith li'eJlearned, 9icio#sJcycling Con'idence and Competence, Ane may, contrastingly, despair in Glearned helplessness,H a hopeless G9ictim o' circ#mstanceH ho:s yet to learn the path to ardent perse9erance in the e''ort o' achie9ing some s#ccess or perhaps s#mmoning and s#staining a deep acceptance o' e9en apparently tragic li'e, Radical 1cceptance is one perspecti9e or GtoolH hich one may add to his or her Gcoping arsenalOH * de'ine it asM G$7tending one:s peace o' mind to the 9ery limits o' grace,H past hich one cannot help b#t to react in some ay, %his orld doesn:t al ays #se G&id glo9es,H so one m#st, 'or ellness as a being o' serenity, either or& to 'i7 hat:s rong, or come to terms ith it ( hence, the concept o' Radical 1cceptance, hich, * s#bmit, alle9iates the negati9e emotions o' li'e:s stressors thro#gh mind'#lness o' this o'ten pragmatically healthy perspecti9e, * present these points o' 9ie in the hope o' enco#raging my a#dience to thin& abo#t personally e''ecti9e li9ing in a ne light, While all o' this ta&es practice, * 'eel that, ith a positi9e mindset, the essential s&ills o' li'e hich * present are orth

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the time and the 'r#stration one end#res 'or the sa&e o' a more s#ccess'#l and serene li'e, GA9ercoming >is#nderstandingH /eing a are o' the common tragedy o' cynical mis#nderstanding ( and thereby &eeping an open mind abo#t other beings: hearts o' intent ( may help one to escape s#ch dys'#nction, Ha9ing the e7perienceJconditioned presence o' mind to #nderJreact and grant others the bene'it o' the do#bt hen one is incensed by the F#ic& concl#sions so easily attained by so many so#ls, may be an essential 'irst step in the e''ort to de9elop more acc#rate and h#maniDing perspecti9es regarding others, !imply recogniDing the common occ#rrence o' s#ch mis#nderstanding, in conI#nction ith one:s basic dri9e to 'ind s#ccess in li'e, potentially 'osters a mind'#l 9igilance and primes the e9ol9ing competence and con'idence necessary to engage in the 9ital process o' clearing #p the tragic disconnects bet een #s all ( a process characteriDed by simply e7plaining one:s personal perspecti9e more clearly andNor in9iting another to do the same, %he priDe, o' co#rse, is a stronger relationship and more healthy harmony ( the highest pleas#re nati9e to h#man so#ls, * ha9e concl#ded o9er the years, %hat it is ithin o#r respecti9e potentials to s#cceed in this most

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e7istentially important endea9or, may grant an #n'#l'illed so#l the hope to perse9ere thro#gh li'e:s hard &noc&s, ith the healthy goal o' b#ilding stronger bonds bet een onesel' and those ho come into the conte7t o' one:s li'e, * no ret#rn to my primary point to rein'orce its apparent isdom ( that mere mind'#lness o' mis#nderstanding is all hich one needs to begin to transcend one:s dys'#nctional limitations and b#ild healthier relationships ith one:s peers, G%emperamentH * begin ith a brie' e7position on the %empJ erament N %emperat#re metaphor, as 'ollo sM
Cold ( #ncaring, apathetic, #nemotional, +GcoldJheartedH. Cool ( #nderJreacti9e to li'e, ethically ne#tral +GcoolJheadedH. arm ( open, accepting, a''ectionate +G armJheartedH. !ot ( hyperJcarings, emotionally o9erloaded +lo9e and hate.

* o#ld s#bmit that each temperament is mo9ementJfluid ith adIacent temperaments, * o#ld also s#bmit that le9el o' conscience rises ith the GheatH le9el o' the indi9id#al, Consider the 'ollo ing moral implicationsM $motional Climate, as pre9io#sly described, is a phrase o' metaphor hich one may #se to describe the tone hich a being sets 'or those ithin the sphereJo'J 2-

in'l#ence o' that so#l:s domain o' control, %his e''ect may be bro#ght on by the openness and s#ggestibility o' those ithin range, heightened by that person:s li&eability, as a''ected so#ls internaliDe the logical and emotional content o' that person:s speech, action, and body lang#age, Con9ersely, this e''ect may be a reacti9e polarity ith this person, perhaps d#e to di''erences in temperament, hich helps to decide a potential leader:s s#bIecti9e charisma 'or potential 'ollo ers or those 'inding rebellion or reser9ation to be more adapti9e 'or themsel9es and those they may care abo#t in li'e, %he !ocial Ripple, or the e''ect o' an indi9id#al:s temperament in the social sphere, is a '#nction o' his or her desire and ability to do good or bad things to others, Ane cannot help b#t to ha9e a GrippleH in li'e ( none o' #s li9e in a 9ac##m ( and one:s social reception and temperamentJo'Jcare may sno ball in a sort o' 'eedbac& loop, based on the category hich in'l#ential indi9id#als p#t one in and the allJimportant, e9erJpresent decision o' ho one chooses to act in li'e, "ersonal >eaning +the pro'o#nd and positi9e emotion hich one gleans 'rom s#ccess. may hinge #pon the harmony +or lac& o' harmony., hich one may +or may

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not. 'ind ith others, dependent #pon synergy o' temperament and the greater societal reception hich one may recei9e ( anything 'rom a ardsJo'Jmerit to sentencesJo'Jp#nishment, /eing aro#nd li&eminded people is cr#cial 'or one:s openness and sense o' social incl#sion, and so * s#bmit that any social so#l:s '#l'illment relies on the health o' his or her relationships ( hich only tr#ly arises 'rom a m#t#ally recogniDed accord o' basic personal temperament, G1ddiction in "erspecti9eH ?i'e o''ers #s many choices ( some healthy, some not, %he acti9ities hich e engage in enrich #s ith li'e e7perience and personal meaning, and it is these re ards hich compel #s to ma&e habits o' o#r beha9iors, 'or better or orse, A#r attempts to create ellJbeing +thro#gh o#r ords and actions. train #s to p#rs#e certain hobbies, and * s#bmit that is important to recogniDe hen those hobbies are or&ing 'or or against o#r 9al#es and goals, *n this spirit, please consider ho, * s#bmit, almost all o' #s are ( nat#rally social so#ls att#ned to a harmony hich, 'or many, no longer e7ists, *n the absence o' s#ch healthy relationships, one 'eels a deep sense o' dissatis'action, as this harmony is essential 'or the most so#ls: ellJbeing, 1s a res#lt, many become 'i7ated on addicti9e mirages o'

20

happiness +li&e money, dr#gs, and po er. ( ill#sions hich some elements in society tragically present as central to a happy li'e, While these 'i7ations may grant temporary satis'action or relie' 'rom a nagging desire, it is my e7perience that only social harmony is adeF#ate to grant meaning'#l ellJbeing ( a 'inding hich * hope is shared by my a#dience, *n the process o' shedding the dys'#nctional 'i7ations o' addiction, one m#st reJ'oc#s one:s priorities, con'ronting dys'#nctional #rges ith mind'#lness o' the tragic nat#re o' #nhealthy habits and hat nat#ral alternati9e is attainable and s#stainable 'or o#r so#ls, GWisdom o' RegardH %he elegant social isdom o' one:s charismatic high regard may hold disparate so#ls together, as e tend to li&e those ho li&e #s ( the reciprocal begetting o' lo9e, arming o#r emoti9e climate o' esteem and 'ic&le mood, to 'oster synergy in harmony ( hat e9ery social creat#re needs to 'eel optimally ell, GHealthy Con9ersationH

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Warm, accepting, open +'o#ndation mood.P Con9ersation ith acti9e listening +c#riosity & onder.P Relating or toleranceNrespect 'or di''erences +social e''icacy.P 6egrees o' empathic acc#racy +#nderstanding & intimacy.P GB#iet >ind & Apen HeartH What is it hich ma&es one happy< $9en e ho care may sometimes 'orget that, abo9e all, e are social creat#res, cra9ing harmony ith other so#ls abo9e all other 'leeting pleas#res hich li'e o''ers, When one 'eels that he or she is in meaning'#l social harmony ith others, one:s mood is raised #nli&e any shortJterm 'i7, beca#se the sense that li'e is good s#stains one:s positi9ityO and hen that ball gets rolling, getting along I#st 'eels nat#ral and itho#t e''ort ( the '#l'illment o' o#r primal tribal dream, hich one may gro recepti9e 'or, ith a peace'#l mind and an open heart, G$mpathy:s *nta&eH 1lmost conscio#s, nascent o' the #nderstanding mind

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+ hich co#ld be rong., empathy I#mps F#ic&ly to its certainties and mind'#lly g#essed possibilities, ' (eep an open mind, * no a''irm, a''irm, a''irm 'or the health o' my relationships, 'or, )hat is more important in this life than the health of one*s relationships, * as& rhetorically, Ane needs not I#st these 9al#es b#t their complementary social s&illsM 1cti9e ?isteningO %he 1bility to Relate ith Ane:s $7perienceO 8ital Apenness, G/aggageH ?et it go, and start a'resh, 'inding hat yo# tr#ly need ( peace, lo9e, and #nderstanding ( that 'rom hich all holy Ioys arise, Pand still, the tra#mas ha#nting me are I#st my o n long li'e:s e7perience ( that hich *:ll one day need I#st to relate to those ho are s#ch tort#red so#ls, Ho 9ery rare they seemO indeed, ha9e e9er * met so#ls li&e me< None come to mind,,, sadly< Cet #ni9ersal traits o' conscio#sness lead me to thin& again, in distant hope,, G%he 5ossamer o' HopeH

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%he gossamer o' hope no p#lls my so#l into emerging '#t#res, thro#gh the ga#ntlet o' the estern ind, hich raises high my spirit:s &iteJli&e mood as * gro old, yet perhaps poor in tolerance and empathy 'or e9il * concei9e as shallo , careless immat#rity hich so o''ends my conscientio#s being, *:m compelled to so react, to right a rong in hope o' reJe7ploring '#rther harmony, G%he 5enesis o' JoyH %ra#maJclos#re, genesis o' Ioy, ithin the str#ct#res o' a so#l:s cohesi9e 'ield o' Conscio#sness ( all that hich one may call Gonesel',H all someho dri9en by one:s '#ndamental care 'or social health or, sadly, conscience I#st 'or one ( the center o' one:s being ( sel'ishness, an immat#rity o' heart, not realiDing others: orth or I#st ignoring s#ch concernP *s higherJminded Ioy tr#ly achie9able 'or h#man&ind< "erhaps, in gi9en time, e:ll gro to see that this e ha9e become ( that li'e, 'or "lanet $arth, as a s#ccess e9ent#ally,

31

G/rea&ing %he Co&eH * 'oc#s on my 'aith in my success, a''irming hope, tho#gh all desire is a s#''ering 'rom hich a so#l m#st cope, 'or, perse9erance in the right p#rs#it can gro to be the 9ital root o' isdom 'or a happiness beyond the modern scope, hat:s &no n to >an as possibility ( the ay in hich a so#l is 'ree ( the limits o' the allJensnaring, channelJminding yo&e, G$9er Ne HoriDonsH *t:s a long, hard ro to so , b#t ith mind'#l e''orts o' gro th and rene al, both no9elty and boon tradition coe7ist to coJinspire the personal progress o' the open heart and mind, hich g#ide one:s constant 'or ardJmo9ing to ard a better ay to be, G"#rpose<H We are all I#st here ith the gi't o' li'e, *n the #ltimate social Ioy o' this mirac#lo#s occasion o' chance, e see the tr#e 9al#e o' lo9e and harmony,

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'or it is that hich e enIoy, ithin the goodness o' o#r conscienceJhearts, hich tends o#r most cohesi9e #nity, +,an one and all not live without this-. Ces, b#t i' e can achie9e s#ch Ioy, hy not embrace s#ch a ise orld9ie < G1n 1d9ent#re 1'ter 1llH "each and indigo light the e9ening s&y, to set the tone o' my #n&no n ad9ent#re:s yetJtoJcome, %he 'antasy s#spends my disbelie', '#l'illing me in passing so#l'#l change o' my reality, 'rom "#rgatory to a F#est 'or social stri9ings 'or an ethical s#ccess, We are a disparate lot o' heroes, p#re o' inner hearts: intent, ho try to do hat matters ( sa9e good li'e, end tragic horrors, set the orld to right as ell as e are able to, *t happens all day, e9ery day thro#gho#t o#r orld ( the innocent ca#ght #p in anger:s sights, *t:s not a matter o' reciprocating rage, sno balling hate, b#t simply stopping the ongoing tragedies, %hen again, there:s s#ch a thing as tr#ly e9il ( not mere mista&enJangryJtragic, b#t intentional, sadistic ellnessJthe't, 4or this alone do * ish harm or some imprisonment,

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'or e deser9e a orld itho#t s#ch horror, gro ing into harmony in timeP $9er a hero:s heart is d#ly caring, tr#ly yo#rs and mine, 'orged 'or a 9igilance tempered by isdom:s conseF#enceJconsideration, made 'or li9es o' meaning gro n beyond that hich e rise abo9e, GWisdom 'or the Reaching o' a 6reamH Cesterday:s gone, and * don:t miss it ( e9ery day is better than the last, as * learn hat it is that ma&es me happy ( 'inding some s#ccess in my li'e goal to b#ild a better harmony 'or those *:d s#rely lo9e i' * co#ld only &no their cares ( hat so#ls may seem at times inscr#table to me, as no the mystery remains, and * s#bsist on melody or, sic& in silence, star9e the day, * m#st a''irm, belie9e, and learn o' better isdom 'or the reaching o' a dream, G%he >a&er:s WillH What does li'e:s designer ha9e in store 'or this partic#lar eighty pl#s or min#s years o' conscio#sness< * see s#ch possibilities o' li'e s#ccess, meas#red in mat#rity o' isdom and o' conscience,

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realiDed, i' not by others &no n, and 'or the greater good ( the arm re ard * 'eel, eno#gh 'or me and those * &no ho care and or& ith me to 'oster '#ller, 'reed '#l'illment 'or all so#ls ho care and s#''er so, in li'e, ho, thro#gh o#r ords and acts, 'ind a higher Ioy, in greater and more mo9ing harmony o' social bea#ty:s bond, G$asyH ?i'e:s a gi't, so ta&e it easy, 4riendship, lo9e, o#r brighter nat#res: epiphanies o' personal or #ni9ersal tr#th, they bless o#r open hearts and minds, i' e ha9e good 'o#ndations in o#r so#ls and li'e e7perience to dra on as e b#ild o#r orld9ie s 'rom the gro#nd, G%herape#tic >editationK Abser9e yo#r so#lLs e9ol9ing notions, passing li&e so many distant clo#ds, to change yo#r core o' being as they so compel yo#r point o' 9ie , Co#r /#ddhaJnat#res, cool and arm in easy temperament, de9oid o' e7istential angst, no see& to simply #nderstand and be harmonio#s ith the Whole,,,

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/eyond the p#sh and p#ll o' ill, * 'ind that li'e is simple Qen,,, %he mood is peace and pleas#reO * am the 'o#ndation o' a smile,,, GA'' the /ac& and Ender the /ridgeH 1nimosity, shined #pon me, hurts, and * ant to set the record straight on that hich * am being I#dged, 1 hope 'or m#t#al esteem and '#nctional harmony decides my Ioy and pain, all hinging on my '#ndamental cares, 'rom basic 'ear o' being alone to the bene9olence *:9e gro n o#t o' my lo9e 'or those ho care and those in pain, 1nimosity< A'' my bac& and #nder the bridgeP ?i'e:s not a gi't to aste on h#rt, b#t one to cherish ell, in peace and lo9e, GEnderstandingH $7tending my acceptance no to e9ery possible state o' mind, *:9e arm regard 'or all, e9en the ones ho ha9e to h#rt, #ncaring, $9ery rage, mis#nderstandingP $9ery #nderstanding, lo9eP $9ery rage, mis#nderstandingP $9ery #nderstanding, lo9eP

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G1''inityK %he po er o' positi9ity and peace enables empathy in earnest to translate the times thro#gh any tro#bles, bringing bac& the best o' real relationships, redeemed and realiDed in harmony and happiness, hea9enLs h#mors all attainable 'or the a''ectionate and orldJ armingly ise, ho or& to create conditions in consonance ith cares, concerns and conscience, learning li9ing lessons long into lastingly lo9ing li9es, G1 !#nset !ets %he !tageH %he roiling, misty mass o' strat#s shro#d re9eals, at setting s#n horiDon, Hea9en, home 'or one o' hope in harmony ith heroes, angels ( any heart o' healthy h#man armth, ith ishes elcome to the common good, en9isioned and so made, ith honor:s hearts in mind, What e enable in the orld are also I#st the 5i'ts o' 5od to >an, no only realiDed in close comm#nity ith all ho share s#ch high ideals o' so'tJandJstrongJso#led sel'lessness

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in ser9ice o' sec#rity, serenity, and sel'Je''acing lo9e, G*:m Not 1lone<H *t gi9es me hope to meet a passing &indred so#l, as i', li&e 'inding other $arths, 'rom nothing, li'e is li&ely teeming, all thro#gho#t hate9er has or e9er ill e7ist, and my 'riend is the e9idence,,, *Lm grate'#l to the 'orce behind the re9elation o' this synergy, 'or my ne 'aith in li'eLs +di9ine<. design, as something #ltimately bea#ti'#l, i' gi9en grace and time, A#r paths, they passP G%he !o#l o' HarmonyH Here is one, accepting o' the moments as they pass, engaging li'e in simple grace and in a righteo#s lo9e, Whate9er one may do e7presses 'o#ndations o' spirit:s essence, #nbe&no nst to all, a blessed so#l o' destinies hardJ'o#ght and J on, 1 ise old so#l ho:s perse9ered thro#gh all 'r#strationJ'ail#re, &no s ( it:s not hat yo# accomplish ( rather, who you are inside hich, orthJ ise, matters so, *n this old sim#lation, tho#gh,

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ho yo# deal ith li'e is allJimportant, and mat#rity may come as one gro s past shortJterm re ard, instead so 'oc#sed on social s#ccess and good so#ls: happiness that 'rom one:s caring springs the so#l o' harmony, G4o#ndations o' the HeartH ?o9e is the emotion o' highest regard, shined #pon another, inhibitions illing, arming hearts in its '#l'illing energy ( an emotion lent to the endearing, 4rom pain 'orcing sel'Jendearment, to peace 'lo ing in arm regard, the heart mo9es to lo9e and #nderstanding, ;indness is 'elt in the &armic armth o' one:s e7pressions o' good ill, %he embrace is an e7tension o' regard, and a reass#rance o' acceptance, +' accept you, faults and all, as ' would wish you would for me, "ecause together we are more than otherwise we*d grow to "e.. G5ood %hings Happen %ooH *n the ephemera, o#r blossoms bloom and die, lost to ine7ora, the endless gro th o' entropy 9, order,

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mani'ested carelessly, itho#t the deepest )H/ o' p#rpose, meaning, or design, perhaps, e7cept 'or e o' conscio#sness and conscienceJ dri9e, ho or& to ma&e li'e better, in the no and in the '#t#re, 'or o#rsel9es and those e care abo#t, embodying signi'icance itsel', G%ribes o' the Apen HeartH Compatible as consciences, e band together, Ioined in o#r de'ense o' hat is righteo#s, in a search 'or higher harmony in hich to li9e o#r stories o#t together, each #niF#e 9oice o' accord lost in its o n great ilderness, so l#c&y to ha9e 'o#nd each others: open, elcome hearts and minds o' candid, lo9ing so#l, We listen and e spea& o' ho e each relate and so gro so m#ch closer to the dream o' some rapport ( o' some great synergy that:s b#ilding tribal health, hich may s#pport all o#r ellJbeings, and hat more is there 'or s#ch ellJ ishing so#ls< G%o Concei9e o' HarmonyPH 1 areness o' the goodness o' the so#ls o' one:s consideration grants harmony ( serenity:s acceptance (

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as one 'eels I#st hat is ell ithin the orld and so rela7es inner care, shir&ing the g#ilt o' some #nJcharity, th#s o ning one:s #niF#e moment o' li'e hich a de9otion to one:s ethic held so capti9e be'ore one concei9ed o' s#ch great harmony, so in t#ne, complementing holism o' so#nd, GAbligation:s $ndH %he 'reedom to do nothing b#t rela7 into the breeDeP 1 liberated spirit set on shedding the disease G6iscom'ortHP 6i9ing into li'e, e 'ind o#r nat#ral responses grace'#lP Apening to bea#ty, e engage in all the synergies e 'eelP GWitho#t Reser9eH ?aid bac& and la#ghing, * let my stress glide past my happinessP /rightly no accepting o' I#st ho the moments may #s bless, *:m impressed in my ne peaceP * see a so#l so special, * 'eel no at home in the dyadic bond * ne9er o#ld ha9e g#essed that 5od o#ld gi9e me so soon in this li'e,

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G!o ?i&e %he !#nH !o li&e the !#n, yo# radiate $ssential Warmth, and * am in yo#r light, * do not dream o' other !o#rces o' *n'inity:s !igni'icance, 'or yo# are all * &no O *:m e9er lost and dri9en Will 'or >eaning:s Joy, and this yo# grant, * am accepting o' yo#r /lessings o' the Wisdom in yo#r 5race, !o li&e the s#n yo# are to me, G6ancing 5oddessH !pirit 'ree, her semblance o' an easy grace, she teaches me o' spontaneityP at nat#re:s pace, %he mood she casts in rare shamanic synergy, connecting into %his so openly, e7#des serenity 'or all hose loc&s are paired ith her di9inity:s accessories ( so many shapes o' &ey to di''erent diaries o' so#l ho yearn to spea& as she lets hers, each glo ing ember o' h#manity, a coal o' a9ing p#rrs, so 9ested e9er to be hope'#l, to be happy, to be 'riendly, to be 'reeP

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G%he "ath to HarmonyH $7pressing sel' in grace, and ho , so cogniDant o' conscience, * ha9e settled into nothing b#t the pressing dri9e 'or meaning, Wishing only hat is best, * or& 'or higher hearts harmonic, that e may learn no ho to coJinspire the ne7t epiphany, What more is there, b#t e9ol#tion:s re9ol#tion 'or e so#ls ho change the orld< We 'eed o#r open hearts and minds, and soon, so shi't the paradigm, We or& 'or happiness 'or all ho are o' care, and so o#r isdom is to share and get this sno ball rolling, pic&ing #p no more and more moment#m and s#ch #niF#e so#ls, so set on synergy, GWaysH Harmony, respecting o' each #niF#e ay to be, ma&es ise the orld in I#st the ays hich matter socially ( 'or sel' and other in this inter o9en orld o' s#ch potential 'or ascended conscio#sness (

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not so prescripti9eO rather, ishing I#st to bless, respect'#lly, *s there a better ay to be, 'or sel' and all one may a''ect in this long li'e< G%o H#maniDe 'or HarmonyH * accept, 'or harmony, the 'a#lts and limitations o' the so#ls ho people this imper'ect orld along ith me, 'or am * not imper'ect too< Ha9e * no sin ithin my so#l< 6o * not err in ho * thin&< 1re e not similar in #ni9ersal ays< * let the gr#dges hich * bear come to the s#r'ace and be #nderstood in h#manistic ays, GCon'idence in ?o9eH %he necessary con'idence to thin& a tho#ght that:s orth the time enables a mat#rity o' deeper meaning to emerge in s#btle 9er9e o' moral clarity and open 9im, to ma&e a tri#mph o' the tragedy o' li'e in ri'e disJharmonyJsociety and isolations o' misanthropy one can:t a9oid b#t m#st I#st learn to rise abo9e in one:s relationships o' central li'e importance (

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to relate beyond all hate and learn to tr#ly, 'reely lo9e, G%he Ca#se o' /ettermentH *' * co#ld die to sa9e the orld, the choice is good as madeO b#t that:s not ho it or&s, * g#ess ( yo# try to do yo#r best to b#ild potentials o' s#ccess 'or those in tragedies o' s#''ering and care, *t:s not so m#ch some sacri'ice o' death hich lets #s 'orge ahead ith healthy change, b#t rather, all the many years one spends de9oted to the ca#se o' betterment, G!pirits: /estH Noticing s#ch caring ords and acts, appreciating good hearts ellJe7pressed, * let the so#ls aro#nd me &no hat * esteem as spirits: best, G$ach !o#l WorthyH 4rom a 'o#ndation o' 'aith in each so#l:s nat#re 'lo s the armth o' inner 'ires o' gro ing lo9e, Warming hearts and b#ilding harmony ( the deepest goals o' this one li'e,

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ith lo'ty hopes o' catalyDing s#bstanti9e, s#stainable c#lt#ral shi'ts to ard the allJessential light o' sel'less, gi9ing lo9e, G%he 5i't o' ?i'eH * realiDe the greater conte7t, b#rning on and on, heedless o' me and the designs * ish to coJcreate 'rom 9isions o' a harmony, act#aliDed in perpet#ity, s#ch stories riting li'e in me and all o' conscio#sness, '#l'illing hope and dreams, to celebrate the 5i't that e call ?i'e, G1 4#t#re 6reamtH "eace o' mind, that all are sa'e, 1cceptance o' o#r time and place, Comm#ning #nion ith my shape, %he a&ing mind an open gateP GNat#rally 6i9ineH ! i't, the ri9er, elegant as timeP !o 'lo the moments that are gi'ted, yo#rs and mineP

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%he interactions o' o#r energies, slo Jmo9ing to a synergy, become, 'or some, a blessing:s bea#ty, nat#rally di9ine, GNat#rally *ntendedH * dream that none can see me, sa9e the ones ho:d #nderstand, and in this state o' being * can be the so#l intended, o' a conscience, ise and grace'#l, gro n in all d#e co#rse o' gi9en time, G%herapy 'or %herapistsH 5race & H#mility ( 1 simple presence opens hearts, *nterest & *nspiration ( /liss e7ists in rapt#re, $mpathy & Compassion ( 1ll so#ls are endearing, G!&inH %he s&in beneath my clothes, o' 9#lnerability o' so#l, by reason bared in openness, so seems an in9itation 'or a heart:s accepting, 9alidating care 'or all the 9irt#e carried thro#gh this li'e,

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G$nd#rance o' 1ss#ranceH G* am ma7im#m s#''ering s#r9i9ed, and * am caring conscience p#re, >y messianic mission is to coJcreate the c#lt#re:s c#res, Pand so * rite o' my insight to be the light 'or those ho 'ight the righteo#s 'ight, long thro#gh the night, to b#ild a harmony hich might end#re,H GWorth and WisdomH Her so#l is precio#s, tempered by the tempest o' her righteo#s s#''ering, %he 9oices polariDe ith her, and morbid e7pectations hiIac& #nderstandings b#ilt o' empathy, %here is a c#re beyond the animosities hich &eep the tables t#rning in her so#l ( potential insight, &ey to all the isdom she co#ld deeply realiDe in li'e, !#ch hidden li'e disco9eries, s#ch high potential harmony, !hr#gging o'' the b#rden, she ill rise abo9e it all,,,, G?o9e 1li9eH

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?o9e has come ali9e again, in air o' possibilityP >y care 'or her has deepened in respect, as her mat#rity today has sho n itsel' to me, >y tho#ghts see& not to limit her potential, s#ch a caring, 'or ardJmo9ing so#l she seems to be, b#t to loo& on in bo#ndless 'aith in her '#l'illed li'e destiny, hether or not that #n&no n Io#rney intert ines ith mine and so ith me, What is the price o' sel'less lo9e< >ere mortal time and s#''ering, re arded ith the priDe o' lo9e:s ret#rn to a more per'ect harmony,

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A"out the Author

John Joseph Rohrer is the a#thor o' se9eral boo&s and the composer o' se9eral alb#ms o' original m#sic, While he has been instit#tionaliDed 'or more than 'o#r years, he has not let this circ#mstance de'ine him, b#t has risen abo9e it, to e7press his #nderJrepresented or #nprecedented insights, thro#gh s#ch art as this boo& represents,

"hotograph 2012 John Joseph Rohrer

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