twilight falls in a backyard as a small child investigates his toys.
a magnificent creature catches his eye.
he calls in wild, manic gibberish to his mother and points.
the praying mantis is revealed to her only after a second glance.
a moment of hushed wonderiment befalls all three.

i have realized that...

i cannot make others happy or accepting of my friendship and , when this is the case, i must surrender ego and guilt and judgement and non useful effort. 

instead, i can hold them in a soft and warm esteem, patiently and consciously loving them from where i stand.

this is an eye-opening shift in paradigm.