Growing up,
           They tell you all about how the world will
                                                            ­          surprise you,
                                                            ­   as you grow
                                               older and
                    how cruel life can
                                        be and how heartless
                                                     ­                    people can be.

                      What is more important is what they
                                                  don’t
  ­                tell you; about how you will surprise
                                         yourself-

             With the things you do,
              incredible things-
              the things you make,
                                     but also your ability

                        to destroy-

     and that, though your intentions may be pure,
                            you will
                                    cause pain to others.
                                                   that you,
                                                         yes, you,
                                                            ­ you yourself,
                                    will have moments of heartlessness
                                                   ­     and selfishness
                                                     ­         and cruelty.

                    And that
is what it means
                  to be

                                       human.