I am thinking of how many opportunities people throw away of meeting those with like minds, by getting defensive and allowing their past experiences to validate their present actions. I have come across so many like minded individuals in my lifetime, and so many times either them or myself will say something nasty or acidic or insulting, that puts up a barrier to begin. Why is it so very hard to stop and think before speaking and look at how you might respond were it said to you? I have spent years working on considering my words and actions before I take them... I used to just lash out at people and push them away before they could do so with me, and what does that do? IT creates barriers and bars what could possibly be good friendships. Once someone lashes out at me, or says something that hurts me, that puts my guard up and makes me wary of speaking to that person or responding to them... the ole bullying of the past syndrome affecting the now...and that is such a pity in my view... that was just a rant anyway, or a stream of thought bought on by recent occurences in my life, both online and in life.