Book excerpt: Life, with all its drudgery, was not intended to be a burden but a pleasure for all who live it. The way we regard and respond to its ups and downs is the determining factor of how it will in turn treat us. We do not find it easy to forgive ourselves for the little torts we commit. Whilst deep on our inside we know our imperfect state, we nevertheless come hard on ourselves. We beg of others to give us breaks that we deny ourselves. For fear of being hurt, ostracized, or ridiculed, we strive to master the art of camouflaging our true inner self. Before we can do this successfully, we must first internalise the lie and believe it and own it. What wisdom is there in missing your blessings in life because of how you relate to those who hate you?