Thomas Merton sums up much of my life’s perspective in his book, “New Seeds of Contemplation.” His words ring true today. He writes that when we see the world as divided, it’s only a projection of our internal division. In battling others, we’re only compromising our own values. We might not recognize it because we don’t spend enough time in solitude. Solitude allows us to reconnect ourselves where we’ve become compromised. It’s not about living in a place where we’re always right. Instead we reconcile ourselves with where we’ve been wrong. Then we can see the world with a new perspective—one that seeks unity over division. Sorry I seemed to ramble again. Sleep was scant because one of my dogs was coughing all night.