Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003 | 10:55 PM

Dear God,

This is a terribly selfish request and I know that I can't dictate my own life lessons. But I would very much like for once to have my cynicism about the motives and behavior of other people proven wrong. I would very much like to be surprised, and I would like to surprise myself as well. I would like to surprise myself by being kinder, wiser, more forgiving, more loving, more honest, more courageous, more open minded and open hearted, and more willing to take responsibility than I have been up to this point. Please please please give me the strength and the insight to see my way through to that. I want very very much to be a better human being.

Love,

Anna