In the human condition,
powerlessness spurs us to rage
(but so does most of what we do
to gain back that little power).

In the human condition,
religiosity almost never
leads to profound understanding.

In the human condition,
knowledge seldom goes
more than half the
distance to wisdom
(while ignorance is
almost never there).

In the human condition,
belief mixes with uncertainty,
but uncertainty brings anxiety;
so “faith” retreats
behind ornate walls of piety.

In the human condition,
too much of most everything good,
is hardly ever a good thing.

In the human condition,
sorrow square dances with joy,
except for those who won’t step out.

In the human condition,
need is assumed to be
far more prevalent
than other’s ability to fulfill it.

In the human condition,
an able empathy sometimes
asks for anonymity.

In the human condition,
avoidance of suffering
often leads to other’s
suffering.

In the human condition,
a conscience is an excellent
servant, but a terrible master.

In the human condition,
separateness is assumed,
where connection could
easily be discovered.

In the human condition,
character without nurture
is a fleeting austerity.

In the human condition,
culture, belief, technology,
(and what appears to be our self-interest)
shape our life, far more
than we are able
to shape it for ourselves.

(because)

In the human condition,
it is more difficult
to discover your own path
than to accept the path
others provide for you.

In the human condition,
we learn intuitively,
by example and imitation,
far more than we comprehend.

In the human condition,
with Freedom, comes Responsibility
(responsibility for the effects
of our actions on others)

In the human condition,
we only listen,
without bias or judgement,
to those we love,
(and then only sometimes).

In the human condition,
we blame many,
for the words and actions of a few,
and so multiply injustice
instead of subtracting it.

In the human condition,
on the same day,
we may be capable
of both the greatest kindness
and the worst cruelty.

(because)

In the human condition,
strong heads overrule hearts,
(but hearts always end up carrying the weight).

In the human condition,
perception comes with preconception.

In the human condition,
fear of loss often creates greater tragedies
than the loss itself.

In the human condition,
anger is an affliction more
than just another emotion.

In the human condition,
there is far more good than bad,
(but bad is what makes news).

In the human condition,
if you master the rules (including morals),
until they are only at the fringes
of your thoughts and actions,
they will not master you.

In the human condition,
cooperation is the true direction of humanity
(competition is just where we’ve come from).

In the human condition,
confidence is a magnet,
but trust is a compass.

And in the human condition:
Hope mixes with pain;
Tenderness balances toughness;
Selfishness wants its own generosity;
Caring chases indifference;
Cowardice desires courage;
Shame is another affliction
(one that can be shared away);
Ideology is only half the story;
Conformity fears independence;
Desire colors nearly everyone’s truth;
Perfection is an abstraction
(that is never as real as the beauty it upholds);
Experiences are rounder
than most all the words we use to describe them;
Everything nearly is a complete paradox
and a total mystery (if you look at it deep enough);
The universe is still expanding
(in spite of global warming);
And fear mixes with love only as much as we each allow it.

©2008, David B.