Bob and Mike grew up together and became partners. One day Mike caught Bob opening their safe and taking out money. “Bob, how can you do this to me? I supported you in all your endeavors. I got you your coop apartment before I got mine, because you had to move out of your crazy girlfriends place, and you made thousands when you sold it. I loaned you money to start your business that you never paid back. I gave you good advice throughout your career. How can you have so little regard for me?”
“Yes, all that is true. But what have you done for me lately?”

Reciprocity should come easily and often. For some however, even if you positively changed their lives significantly for years, by your interaction, support, creativity, work, and actions, it is not enough. Perhaps you should develop some new friendships?
Satoru

The first sin or original sin was the knowledge of good and evil. We have forgotten that the second sin is speaking clearly. These are man’s affronts against God, the child against the parent and the citizen against the state. This is why, when as a human Adam commits these sins, he is punished. Such is the price for being civilized and communicating. Is there any doubt that if Jesus came to earth again and preached we would first put him on television and then, after he established himself as a leader, either assassinate or crucify him again.
Our price for being civilized is to allow a multiplicity of controls to be placed on us. Our task is to assert our individualism and evolve while dovetailing into our society, an almost Sisyphusian task.

Say little. But when you speak, utter gentle words that touch the heart. Be truthful. Express kindness. Abstain from vanity. This is the way. Satoru

Life and Zen are too important to be taken seriously.

A Zen Buddhist walks up to a hot dog vender and asks,
“Make me one with everything.”
The Zen Buddhist gives the hot dog vender a twenty-dollar bill and asks for change.
The hot dog vender replies, “Change can only come from within.”

Satoru