... or flight. I fought a lot in the lower grades. I kinda enjoyed it but a part of my mind (the "Super Ego" in Freudian terms, no doubt) would cooly look at the situation and I would think, "This is really something stupid I'm getting myself into." About the third time I got my nose broken, I decided to start listening to that inner voice. After all, it was smarter than the part of me that thought fighting was fun!

lox, isn't it amazing how something like a darling baby daughter can re-prioritize your life? In the 12 step madel this would be your "Higher Power" though I am disinclined to use their nomenclature. Rather its when one gains the right perspective everything else lines up behind it. You can go on and find deeper, more general principles than the frail and temporary (regardless of how precious) conditions of life. Once you have a foundation under you, you want it to be as firm as possible.