"Life was not meant to be easy. We all know this instinctively. The problem is that as a culture the solution we offer to the suffering is lies, a complex network of lie upon interconnected lie--always the lie of "more": work more, eat more, buy more--as opposed to one or two hard, indisputable truths. Truths like the First Noble Truth in Buddhism: life is suffering. Start here, the dharma sages tell us. Instead of relentlessly pursuing a life tailor-made to sating each of your needs and desires, accept that you are not meant to chase happiness. You have a higher purpose, which connects you to everyone else on the planet, and which you must live up to, and which will require a great deal of you... You are meant to grow into a true human being. Right now you are to a human being what an acorn is to an oak tree. A good start, that's all. You've got a long way to go, baby..." ~ Shozan Jack Haubner, "Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk"