egestatem, potestatem dissolvit ut glaciem.

(poverty and power it melts them like ice.)

It's good to step back sometimes and think about what's important. Well, what is? Uh, dunno, ... ? Spending quality time with people that matter to you, I guess? Making a difference, to somebody? I suppose whatever we do strives towards this goal. In particular when we are working our asses off, to hang on to our jobs, get a promotion or make more money. It's all part of an effort to have better control of our lifes, better control so that we can finally spend our time the way we would like to, instead of spending it simply fulfilling our commitments towards our employer or whomever. It's a tricky balance we're always striving for. And probably unattainable for many ...

What about our interactions with others and/or the feelings/thoughts we keep to ourselves? Do they count for anything? Do good deeds and just actions, even when ignored, add to the collective goodness of the world? Or is it wasted energy?

I was trying to console E. yesterday. It was hard to see her so heartbroken about the loss of her bird. "At least you cared about him", I told her. "And this remains." "It doesn't matter", she said. "He doesn't know that." "Sure it does", I retorted. "Any positive or unselfish thought you have, makes you a better person. And thus, the world a better place." "I don't believe in God, if that's what you're talking about", she answered.

There I was a little stunned. I had chosen my words carefully. Intuitively I knew that the "all animals go to heaven" line was not going to do the trick. No, maybe that’s not what I was talking about, but how come a twelve year old child is already decided she didn’t believe in God ?! I mean, is that good or bad ? Is it of good nature that a child should have such a pragmatic (not to say cynical) approach to life, that she refuses to consider the possibility that there might be a superior being looking after us ?

Life is hard. Even for twelve year olds …