I see myself in your analogy, Reg. I love the peaceful side of life, but guilt seeps in, reminding me how good I have it compared to others. I can never shed that, and won't. It's what spurs us all to push back against this cruelty. We know it's not right and that good people are being horribly assaulted.

I have little doubt that there's a spirit world, but I no longer subscribe to Christianity. It's anybody's guess as to what lies beyond this life. I used to think our spirits could travel to distant worlds after this life, but now, I sorta think whatever matter we're made of that carries on, stays in this earth's orbit. Reincarnation makes about as much sense as any other belief system at this point in my life (when I'm supposed to have had this all figured out by now). I imagine guardian angels around us. They're assigned to us and have been with us our entire lives. I think there may be more than one for each person. I see them welcoming us on the other side, and the interesting part, we'll know them—they won't be strangers. I really don't know, but it's entertaining stuff to contemplate. 

Kevin g