I really appreciate your reflections. As someone who is also striving to lead a life different than the mainstream (but who has also let a cash register item slip too! Oh!), I also realize that there is much in me that reflects on a micro scale the same kinds of things I wish to change in the world.

It goes back, in many ways, to the idea that working on ourselves actually does ripple and change the world- for we are holisms of the world. I find war and peace in myself and conflict and peace in my relationships too. To be a truly happy clear person with a transparent consciousness always strikes me as a goal and when I meet genuine open people it is refreshing and inspiring.

Thanks again for your thoughtful post. Following you now!