It’s an incentive, for sure, living where I do.  You figure it out, you have to, and pretty quickly, how it is you’re going to survive.  What’s going to hurt you.  What’s going to help you.  How you’re not just going to survive, but how you’re going to really live here… really live.  But that’s not unique.  Don’t we all do that?  Don’t you?  It comes in all shapes and sizes, disguises even… mine just happen to be pretty clear – these prickly things, they’re not really hiding.  But if you think we don’t all have them, then you’re just wrong.  We all have them, these obstacles in our path, these things, others, that are going to try to disrupt your day, your life even… but that’s everywhere.  You have to find a way to live with that… within that.  Maybe you try to make things better, for yourself, for those around you. Maybe you stop looking for the reasons, the answers all the time, and just look for the light.  It’s pretty easy to see what won’t make you happy when you’re sitting on a cactus.  But what you (I) have to work for, every day, is finding the good…what will make me smile, fill my heart, make this place a little better, for me, and for everyone.  What can I do to make a difference?  When I end this day, did I add something?  I don’t know if I succeed every day, but I have to believe there is beauty in the attempt.  There is beauty in trying to be kind.  Beauty in trying to make this world a little less prickly.  I want to be that person.  And so I try.  And no, I don’t mind that I live here.  The sun is shining.  My back is warm.  And I am free.  Some days I have to go through the list in my head, of all the blessings I have… maybe we all do, wherever we are.  This is my home.  You are always welcome here, too.  It is not an easy place.  It has its challenges every day.  But it can be a kind place, a forgiving place, and a loving place.  If you can see that, offer that, live that, you can live anywhere.