Self-deception is essential for long-term survival.

Once a year I am shocked and dismayed by the reminder that I have, yet again, completed an orbit around the fusion reactor at the center of our meagre planetary system (just one habitable planet? WTF?).

It crushes me because for the previous eleven months I had managed to delude myself that each new dawn was not one day closer to death.

Self-deception. Kidding yourself. Refusal to accept the plain and obvious truth. Wilful ignorance. I despise these traits in others, yet I'm happy to embrace them all to stave off despair.

Hypocrisy. I despise that too.

Self indulgence to self denial
Man to woman
Scales to feathers
You and I*

So here's to the next eleven months.
And a new book.

SSB

*forever Joni