"Rolling on the River"

I am examining what is important to me because I have been making decisions that are unsatisfactory.  Life experiences are difficult to bear and I have found myself emotionally unprepared.  The fairy tale idea that a person is going to snatch me from what is real (and painful) and make the life lived to date go away is ridiculous (although appealing in a novel).  To run away from authenticity is impractical  to me and my innate ability (and to the person I am running to).   I have had many moments in which I know that “this is my life” but then turn away to jump on the treadmill marked “flee”.  The only intellectual and affective growth I have  ever gained is when I had the courage to turn and face my situation without self-pity and with an open heart to learn.