Do you have your guard up with people?

I agree about the necessity of having a guarded nature in all manner of relationships these days, perhaps it was always "these days". It is a simple matter for many to veil intent and utilize well practiced maneuvers to distract from sometimes obvious deceits Many a grain of salt should be expended with most.

Yet at once this may be why I find online interaction to be so fulfilling. People tend to reveal so much of themselves when forced to convey their thoughts in a written form. It may be that I have an intuition not shared by most, but I have been fortunate in both the piercing of veils when there is something fishy about or easing down walls when someone is guarded from long exposure to those who are not genuine.

A guarded nature is not a terrible thing, it allows a particular vantage point from which to see larger pictures than those who run headlong into all aspects of life.

But how do you recognize those patterns before its too late?

Mostly....

😬😬😬

Yes, often.