Perspective is important. We should all keep in mind that our problems could be worse, and that all suffering is relative. This can help us feel less overwhelmed by our own challenges, more grateful for our many blessings, and more compelled to empathize with and help others.

How can such a thing be? How can we love another so deeply and then find that love and connection to be gone, nowhere to be found? I believe it's because the connection wasn't at the level of the soul.

Usually, the people we're closest to and trust the most are the ones we inevitably (and most of the time, unintentionally) hurt, or are hurt by. It's because we love them the most that they can hurt us, and it's because we trust them the most that we aren't always thinking not to offend them.

I email Marcie, and the 30 years of time apart becomes an instant prism of life, radiating the full rainbow of light upon our rekindled friendship.

I encourage you all to stop, really stop and take stock. Make sure you are living with passion and passionately living. Surround yourself with people that raise you up, that fill your life, heart and soul with passion.

What is it we really need when we are in pain? I believe that it is much simpler than we imagine. We need to be heard, understood and cared about. We need a friend to hold our pain with us, for a moment, without judgment, to hear and care about how we are, in truth.

Life is a collection of missteps, mistakes and misjudgments transformed to understanding. The regret of our neglected intuition turns to awareness, as we accept the lesson within the experience.

"Can I help you find anything?" he asks. "How 'bout the meaning of life?" I reply. Without hesitation, he tells me, "That's two aisles over, middle shelf, in a small can!"