I am willing to mail you a broken record I have here, Amos. Will that do?

Voice of Truth - What you say about people's suffering is 100% obvious, and everybody knows it. At least I hope everybody does! I sure do. That in no way changes the philosophical usefullness of what Megan said. Both your viewpoint and hers are equally valid, and they do not, in fact, conflict with one another. They are like apples and paper clips...just two completely different matters. They apply to life on different levels. One is an observation of what is happening in the world. The other is a way of coping with one's own consciousness and behaviour from moment to moment.

In other words, it ain't any use setting them up as supposedly opposing notions and arguing about it. ;-) They are not opposing notions.

The best way to live on any particular day is to be fully aware of what you said about life and about the good stuff too...and at the same time to make the most positive use possible of your own individual time and circumstances (whatever they are), which is what Megan said. The two are not in opposition to one another, and it's not an ivory tower view held only by the rich and comfortable. I've seen people in bad situations who stayed positive. They were strong people, natural leaders, and they were inspiring to those around them.

Who would you rather have for company in a really BAD situation? Someone who rages and despairs about how awful it is, how unfair it is, who gnashes his teeth, and tears his hair out...or someone who siezes the moment to do something positive, something brave, something beautiful? This can happen even in the worst of circumstances.