I have tried about a dozen times to answer this post from my perspective, but can't seem to do it. Too much baggage? I don't know.

My only advice is that when things look their bleakest, go against the obvious impulse and raise your standards don't lower them.
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--Some of us look for The Way in opium and some in God, some of us in whiskey and some in love. It is all the same Way and it leads nowhither.