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It is never personal, you're not the protagonist

It's so easy to become offended. It actually comes pretty natural. Someone says something.  You feel it's directed at you Strong reaction follows No need to react, it's got nothing to do with you as a person Imagine some remarks about academic work versus manual one, a bit dismissive about the latter. You don't have a degree and never wanted one. You know very well it takes years of experience and training to do what you're doing. Talent is involved too, as some people do have "two left hands".  You still feel you should add something to the conversation, but not sure if it is going to be well-received. No need to enlighten the other party right now Most people think in terms of opposites. If it's not this, it's that and it can't be anything else. Certainty of one's convictions is also a form of self-reassurance that everything is stable in one's world. Other points of view cannot be allowed because they are disruptive. Cognitive disrup
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House poem

Do not lie to yourself:
In the heart of the heart of the house
No memories abide
No flickering shadows reside
No secrets there to hide.
A house is a box full of toys,
Long forgotten, half-broken,
Once full of noise
Now in a precarious poise.
Look, the doll is hanging out
Hair entangled, mouth in a pout
Beady eyes forever half-shut
One push and it would fall, but
There is no one around to put it back
So leave it on its rack
A martyr to this place of joy and loss.
Time keeps tabs on the dross.

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