It seems to me that if we are going to live sanely, then we must respect and be sensitive to differences, realizing that no two individuals are alike, and that if we really understand someone, we understand how they differ from us. In these impressionable years, we are witnessing the impact of an economic depression and recovery, and as the nation recovers, we are seeing how the recession affected the lives of humans, and how it changed some people. This does not mean that people are people are destructive, savage, or anti-social, but they became realist, who lost their rose-tinted glasses a long time ago and many of them never want to find them again. However, not everyone is a cynic.

For some, these rough economic times have made people carry away a spirit of boundless enthusiasm, and elasticity of mind, and a soaring joy for life. For some, no matter if they are driving an old beat up truck, or a brand new Mercedes-Benz, they are happy just to be able to cook a meal, in their own kitchen, in their own home.

While talking with a visitor, in the front of the picture window, in the living-room, my energy never flags. I have always been interested in political and sociological things, but keep many of my ideas online, as the general public is not interested in discussing anything that might shake up the routine gossip, most people exchange; ideas, thoughts, and concepts are sometimes best left at home. My writing principals are simple, and I try to make it interesting, and, if I can, make it funny. While readers laugh, they think. And every writer wants to make people think.

As the nation is recovering, some people are experiencing social issues with others, and these people do not seem to grasp the things you are saying and totally miss the point. However, anyone who wants to understand adults may consider studying child psychology because it also will shed light onto what some of your friends, family members, and co-workers are going through, and it is possible that some of them, even if they are older than you, may not be as mature as you are. It is sometimes terrifyingly difficult to find that right words, and that is why sometimes people turn to sarcasm.

Sarcasm gives people a safety net, if they say something that offends you, they can just laugh and play it off by saying they were kidding. I even caught myself, the other night, about to use sarcasm with this lady in the supermarket, who was buying a gallon of Gin. Then I stopped myself, and thought…that is unlike me and something I would have said as a child, but I am growing up and I strongly dislike sarcasm. Sarcasm, is also sometimes a tool for people, who are looked at as complete outsiders, to feel their way into the group. Nonetheless, some will find that conforming might be a great idea.

Books also make great companions, and a nice solitary walk helps you discover the pleasures in nature. One does not expect to talk to anyone, but a nice citizen might surprise you with a compliment or a nice conversation, so there are ways to make friends without joking around or spending money, but be careful, I always feel the need to say that.

Taking up hobbies is also a great way to meet people; one can become a non-competitive runner, or something. Not everything has to be about winning or being the best. And when you feel energetic, you can go to the river and run, just for evening’s entertainment. Just do not stay out too late, as you could be attacked by a back-street or park prowler. However, the good thing is if you are good at running, you can easily ditch the prowler.

Now, it may be hard for some to find jobs, and I know some of you might think if the former head mistress of your college saw her one-time star student working, unashamedly, but even gaily, at a lowly job that she might be perplexed. However, she would probably be proud to see that you are employed and trying, and knows that you will move up the career ladder. The future will be interesting and we have all learned to be more economical.

Some days, for company, there is a rendezvous, for young men, with nowhere much to go in the evenings, and once a year, if that often, you might see my face. Nonetheless, my friends do not approve of those meetings as they fear that something could happen or it might appear that I am lurking unobtrusively somewhere I do not belong, and that I have nothing better to do. So I listen to their talk and store it away in my memory.

Many will expect you to behave in a respectable middle-class manner, instead of in the manner of the vagabond, who is broke. Still, everyone wants company and I guess that is why dogs are so popular—those shaggy dogs are so cute after all.

Meanwhile, others day dream about meeting the right love of their life and dream about how much influence that individual will exert on their lives, but never store all of your hopes in dreams in once person, or else you may find yourself needing a chicken farm. There are thousands of people, who you are potentially a perfect match for, and they are also living as best they can, taking any casual work that is offered, or your mate may be well-off, who knows? Nonetheless, if you are trying to get someone’s attention, find out the things they like.

The social strata is strictly defined, and sometimes those who earn more are at the bottom, those who earn less could be a step up, and those struggling may turn out at the top. However, if you travel and hang out with the right people, they will talk to you and teach you how to master life and may even help you with some career choices. Still, it all makes for good firsthand experience for your novel about life (even if it is just a mental one or told through pictures). Each of us is part of several groups that vary in size, importance, and other ways.

Culture is verbal and nonverbal ways of behavior in a given society: language, food, beliefs, values, music, literature, marriage and kinship patterns, and virtually everything covering human group life. Perhaps you have heard the phrase, he or she “is a very cultured person.” This phrase often has overtones of elitism or snobbishness, but it may also imply that the individual meets certain criteria of being an acceptable member of the society to which we belong. This process is often called socialization or enculturation. And that is by far better than being known as the village idiot.

An American has to make a place for himself or herself. Just as we have some inherited status and roles and some that are acquired. It would, however, be ideal if society could become flexible enough to allow individuals increasing latitude in playing out the expectations of the culture. In other words, the socialization process needs to be much more geared toward helping each individual develop his or her own humanness.

We must also recognize our own needs for self-expression, uniqueness, novelty, and creative experience, even when these values conflict with the society’s needs as some see them. This will mean some radical changes in the social institutions, which for too long have demanded conformity to an external system, and denied the validity of individual experience. Honor is a creature of the World’s making, and the World hath the power of a creator over it, and may govern and direct it as they please. I can only be dishonored by perpetrating an unjust action.