I’ve successfully conditioned myself to take it all with a grain of salt; to be indifferent and unaffected, at least initially. I don’t think it’s a defense mechanism, per se. It’s definitely an acknowledgment of the death of my credulous nature – that young, unsuspecting mode of thought which used to get me into trouble. I used to put a lot of faith in words. But experience has finally taught me to file all under ‘pending until further notice’.
Expect Nothing by Alice Walker
Expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
become a stranger
To need of pity
Or, if compassion be freely
Given out
Take only enough
Stop short of urge to plead
Then purge away the need.Wish for nothing larger
Than your own small heart
Or greater than a star;
Tame wild disappointment
With caress unmoved and cold
Make of it a parka
For your soul.Discover the reason why
So tiny human midget
Exists at all
So scared unwise
But expect nothing. Live frugally
On surprise.
