Dear Tom:

I agree: “Life isn’t a fairytale” and “life is basically unfair”. I do understand why you “don’t like letting people in”, being afraid of being hurt yet again. This is why it is crucial to be selective as to whom you consider letting in and to what extent, at any time.

It is not rational to just …let people in, not in this unfair world. You have to learn, over time, who is this person, who is that person. Listen to what they say, ask questions, what do they value? What motivates the person? Is he or she consistent, reliable, dependable (although reasonable imperfect, as all humans are)?

anita