I think now I know how to live my life. It has taken a very long time, with many ups and downs. Yet, as many a wise one has suggested, perseverance has paid off. Indeed, I now see the light!

When they first told me I would go to Hell, I did not know what they meant. I was young, and I was scared. So, I tried to change. No longer would I use the Lords name in vain. No longer would I manipulate my body in apparent sacrilege. No longer would I fantasize about things that I found out were evil, and of the devils’ domain.

My fear of ‘straying from the way’ would set me free. That is what they said.

When they said I should vote as soon as I was old enough, I did not understand. They said, “one vote could make the difference� or “imagine if nobody voted, there would be no democracy?� So I voted. I told myself that I would feel proud like all those other proud voters. Perhaps just as soon as I felt represented by those I did or did not vote for.

I very much look forward to feeling represented by those I did or did not vote for.

When they told me that hard work now would pay great benefits later, I felt dissonance. Yet, they must know more than I. So I sacrificed and deferred my gratification, in search of a happy life. It is happy when you do not have today so that you can have tomorrow, right?

I am still looking forward to tomorrow.

When they told me that sometimes you have to ‘bend the rules’ to make more money I thought it sounded very much like fraud. Yet, they reasoned, if you change this diagnosis to that diagnosis, the reimbursement is far greater. And, “with more money, we can help more people!�

I still have kind thoughts that they will be able to help their patients.

I think I now know how to live my life. It has taken a very long time, with many ups and downs.

I think I see the light.

deorre