Sorry if this sounds too glib, but it looks like someone really needs a warn cup of cocoa.

If I thought that's really how you saw things in relation to... relations, I'd begin to seriously worry. Instead I've decided to take this post as an attempt to start up a blogging discussion maelstrom. Let's hope I'm right.

Kaf, neither.

Well, Shelley, remember that the ultimate punishment is not death by a thousand paper cuts, but, rather, solitary confinement.

However, sorrow does seem more prevalent on the web than in our everyday encounters, doesn't it?

Do you think that's because bloggers tend to be more honest and open with their feelings than people are in ordinary situation?. Are bloggers just able to articulate their sadness more convincingly?

Or, are you simply saying we're all a bunch of whiners?

I must be a poor writer. Or too subtle. Catch the key phrases in this posting:

"I've always had this thought at the back of my mind that we would live forever if it weren't for life intruding."

"if we didn't believe in religion or philosophy, we wouldn't feel the need to protect them with our lives."

"An eternity stretches out in front of us if it weren't for love."

Pulling these out of context, what does it sound like I'm saying (and I'm not saying this defensively, but in true interest)?

And that last comment came out antagonistic. I am really batting zero today. Should take hands off a keyboard, back away slowly before I continue to shoot myself with my own words.

With this posting I was trying a point that life can be gentler, smoother, less bumpy, and most likely longer if one didn't care, love, believe. But what would be the point?

The headline threw us off, Shelley. That and the ending which seemed to emphasize the suffering, rather than the value in sharing.

That and perhaps the feeling that there does seem to be increased despair on the web lately and the accompanying feeling that it's not easy to comfort people you've come to care about when you live in a "virtual" neighborhood, where hugs don't mean quite so much.

Of course, in the "real" world I don't find it much easier to offer hugs, except to comfort my grandsons. Perhaps it's a Mars thing.

Warning: _NOT_ caring about others has _ALSO_ been known to be harmful to your health.

Death by a thousand *I love you*s?

Possible.

I hear you, and have thought much the same thing from time to time.

Which really causes me to marvel at something else that seems to have been proven time and time again... that married people have a longer life expectancy.

And... whenever I think about this (which I instinctively agree with) I can't help but remember my childhood. You see, I was raised Cathohlic and went to one of those nun-led parochial schools. The picture of _old_ nuns and _old_ priests really fly in the face of things, doesn't it!

Great post Shelley!

Thanks, DD. Also Farrago, what a way to go, eh?

I agree Sam, to a point. I find that not having contact is 'hurtful' when I don't have the contact I seek. And sometimes the option is to stop seeking.

Loren, new postings...

Well, it sure was a long way to go just to say "Purposeful ignorance is eternal bliss."

Sounds like you're having a hard time remembering (or finding) the health benefits of social connections. When i see this in myself i'm usually either really depressed or weirdly near enlightenment.