There are many things in the world that drive us crazy. Waiting in lines, being stuck in traffic jams, listening to someone that really annoys us – many of these things can turn up our blood pressure and turn our eyes into brazing embers of anger. We feel an upwelling of annoyance, which often translates into a reaction and pushes us into doing or saying something that is unkind, or frustrating, or demeaning to another. Often, the frustrations of the day or the week are what send us reeling over the brink and down the cliff, the hot wind whistling by our ears before we plunge into the stormy waters of an emotional outburst. Sometimes, however, we feel a hand on our shoulder: the hand of reason, the hand of compassion. It grips our shoulder firmly and holds us back just enough to break our steady step toward the edge. This little pause and break in rhythm gives us just enough time to regain perspective and see that our anger and frustration are actually self-centered. That we should reach out and try to understand and then help the person who has annoyed us. That extended hand, the healing hand is the key to civilization. Its touch is caring and constructive. It spreads the warm light of security and happiness, of understanding and love. It heals both you and the person you reach out to.