Great food for thought! I'm so glad you posted this. What I'm going to do is give my thoughts on each paragraph and see where it leads.

Paragraph 3: ...open-hearted compassion that requires us to look inward and outward and grow to accommodate new people, situations, and stressors.

Compassion; there is a limit to mine. Most times it feels as if I have enough of it, but where do we accept our limits? Should we stretch those limits or accept them? What about my expectations of other people? I've heard that I shouldn't have any because inevitably, it leads to dissapointment. But there are certain expectations we have of others; like being able to act maturely in a social situation. How far do you stretch when someone doesn't act appropriately? How far does my compassion reach then? My jury is still out on that.

#4 I've also been thinking about some dimly remembered Bible story, and I'm not sure that I've got this right. Something about the shepherd who leaves the whole flock and goes back to find the one lamb who became lost and separated from the flock. Because every lamb that strays is as important as the whole flock that is safe.

Your recollection is right on. "The Shepard" goes after that one lost lamb for the reason that you mentioned. I'm sure that only God is the one that loves that unconditionally. That is, until I think of my own kids. I'd put my life on the line for them. I'd reach into the deepest crevaces or climb the highest, most treacherous mountain for one of them. That's expected of a good mother, right? But is it expected of me towards a relative stranger? Maybe yes, maybe no.

#5 believes that humans naturally feel "guilt" because of the basic act of having to distinguish a "me" that is separate from "you."

Not too sure I agree with that, exept maybe when two people are "Enmeshed" with each other and one makes a break from the relationship.

As soon as there is separation, there is higherarchy -- on person placing himself or herself higher or lower than You. It is from that, the hierarchy, that one experiences guilt. To make the pain of the guilt go away, blame is placed on one person in the society -- the victim. The victim is sacrificed. There is momentary catharsis

This I can vouch for. The difference lies in that the separation came from the ill mind of my daughter. I can believe that she felt "quilty" when she made the decision to cut me from her life. I've also felt some guilt because of my own actions. However, I don't feel victimized by her. The victims are her two boys.

#6 If you made it to the end of this thing without your eyelids falling shut, thank you for reading.

Actually, it woke me up. It made me introspective. Something I've been needing to do for a few days. It made me realize that I need to "fill my own gas tank." It's begining to run on fumes.

Thanks, Wants2! Like I told you before, there's a new found respect and admiration for you growing in this ole heart of mine.