I always did pretty well in school. My penmanship was bad and I didn't like math, but everything else was okay.

I distinctly remember a situation in 2nd grade that just recently came to mind. There was a math paper assignment to be finished and turned in by the end of the day. On one side of the page was a row of dominoes with the little black dots situated on them. On the other side were the numbers that were associated with the dominoes. I couldn't for the life of me figure it out. I drew lines, then erased, then drew more lines then erased and finally, the paper tore. I was a wreck by then. The teacher tried to prompt me but I just couldn't grasp the concept. I remember telling her that I knew the answer but I just couldn't make it work out. Then she said something I shall never forget: "You're trying too hard."

Life's answers for me have never been easy. Sometimes I try too hard, don't try hard enough, give up too quickly, hang on too long, procrastinate until it is too late, go for it too early and mess things up. I become that anxious, over-achiever that sat in that second grade school chair and fought back tears of frustration, anger and embarrassment.

This morning as I prepared for my morning meditation-prayer time, this quote, I discovered in a book I am reading, came to my mind and I prayed it reverently and with amazing tranquility:

	I have come here not to find answers, but to find a way to live
	in a world without any."                      ----Sue Monk Kidd

When things don't add up or you can't read your own handwriting, maybe you are trying too hard. Back off and don't press so hard. You're libel to tear the paper.