His Motive Is Love

The story is told of a woman who possessed everything she ever could need or want except one thing: peace of mind. For years she had been troubled by the strange delusion that huge swarms of birds were attacking her. She spent much time going from one psychiatrist to another, but none seemed able to get to the root of her problem. Finally, she engaged the most eminent man on the European continent. After a year’s analysis, the doctor said to her, “Madam, I am certain I shall never discover the reason for your delusion. But before we part, let me take you to dinner.” And as the doctor escorted the woman to his car, she was attacked by a huge swarm of birds.

With all the attention we place today upon our public image (“what others think”), we seem no less interested in digging into the roots of our conduct (our self-image). We like to think of ourselves as wide-awake to our reasons…