Peaceful Home

When I was in high school English they made us read "A Separate Peace." At the time I hated the book and the characters -- how could Gene be so foolish? How could Phineas decide to stay so ignorant and blind? After reading through the emotional roller coaster that is cleverly disguised as a short novel we find the point of the entire mad affair: it is because of Gene's regretful actions that he is able to face himself and accept his failings and mistakes and find a separate peace, or a peace apart from the world that others do not have the luxury of once the war is ended.
I never wanted to associate myself with Gene (or Phineas for that matter) but I found myself going through such drama that to emerge on the other end brought me peace I never thought I could feel and even a depth that I thought I had lost. Each person must find their own separate peace or risk being torn apart in the malestorm of life. Part of this life, as much as I've pieced together in my short years, is finding acceptance with what you cannot control. A bending in the wind if you will.
I recently listened to the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast's song "Home" which (obviously) does not occur in the Disney movie which I think is an awful shame. It shows the turning point in Belle's thinking:

"Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever?
Shut away
From the world until who knows when
Oh, but then
As my life has been altered once
It can change again
Build higher walls around me
Change ev'ry lock and key
Nothing lasts, nothing holds
All of me
My heart's far, far away
Home and free!"
-- Music by Alan Menken,
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice

I think the reason we all fear change is because we think that it will change us -- make us less of ourselves and more of our circumstances. And although the events of our lives do indeed shape us there is a part of us I believe cannot be touched and altered unless we let it be. To me this part is basically good, loving and caring although it is also selfish, but its selfishness is easily swayed if something greater is placed before it. I believe we all want to make more of our lives which is why we are able to accomplish so much in so short a time and when we find that the best part of adding to our lives is giving to others they we do so gratefully. Of course we too often see the opposite -- once hurt we retreat behind our selfishness and take rather than contribute, some to the point where the take to the point of destruction or hurt.
So which will it be? Will we be ruled by our selfishness or accept that those things that we fear cannot overcome our very essence and choose to give despite the pain brought to our door?
I have no answer, only faith.