Albert Einstein once defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Even if we don't regard it completely as insanity, a lot of times we still realise the futility of it. Yet, why do we do it?

Why do we choose to give people the benefit of the doubt despite knowing full well that they will make the same mistakes again?

Why do we still go help our friends and/or family members who seem to refuse to listen to our advice?

Why do we still listen to friends and/or family members who will tell us the same sob story over and over again?

Why do we still tolerate colleagues who choose to make the same silly mistakes despite us trying to help them? Why do we even keep trying to help them?

Sometimes it comes down to one thing. We humans are born with the sense that hope springs eternal. No matter how many times we are hurt, no matter how many times we regret, no matter how wary we are, there will always be that someone or some event that make us think "Maybe this time, it will be different."

Yet, the reality of it is that it is seldom different. It will be the same old shit coming to hit you in the face just when you've let your guard down.

Having said that, to be fair, sometimes, just sometimes, you are lucky enough to come across that one person or one event that is different.

At that moment, you can pick yourself up, brush off all the dust and dirt and feel good about being alive. And right then, you decide life isn't so bad. It can be full of crap but you just need to look beyond the shit and find the good out there.

If you're lucky.