It’s so interesting how we can each have such different perspectives on things! I see the “white fence” totally fdifferently than you. I see it as a commitment that the owners have made, a commitment that they have the perserverance to keep, no matter how many times the fence is knocked down. My question is: What in our lives are we committed to just because we love it, whether the commitment makes sense on a logical level or not, whether other people understand it or not? What do we love enough to continue repairing and caring for over and over again?

David

-your continued outreach to a drug-addicted relative, even though your efforts are repeatedly spurned, because you love that person

-the removal of the graffiti on your garage, even though you know it will show up again, because you respect your neighborhood and what to participate in its upkeep

-the flowers that you plant year after year (even though they don’t grow naturally in your zone) because they bring you so much joy

The white fence owners must know that they will keep repairing this fence year after year. But when the fence is undamaged, it brings beauty to that area. Perhaps for this, they are willing to persist.

“Fall down seven times, get up eight.”

Appreciate your commentary on the Steve Jobs bio and your take on the man.

I recall my boot camp experience in the Army where the DIs broke you down psychologically to build you up as a soldier and as a member of a team.

What Steve did was mild in comparison to the military and clearly not always necessary… or was it?

I side with you in valuing respect and grace. Jobs and my DIs, however, required that we earn it…every day.