Migs, i'm not going to post what i wrote in answer to this.  Just know that it's obvious from my very first comment on in what direction i was going here, and that's writerly, not rationally on a very serious issue to me.  I welcome your interpretation, just don't call me Dude when it's a serious comment again.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin