While meditating, sometimes I see the way I process thoughts to protect myself--or at least in a way I unconsciously think protects me. When I receive information, I put it in a place and set in there, then I look at it afterwards. I don't let myself experience things instantly, for some reason.

The situation in Iran is very sad. It's also hopeful though, because it has been long overdue for change. The population is young and well-educated (my impression is, better-educated than Americans--my dad was middle class, yet his high school classes were same as undergraduate college level here). They are all treated like they are idiots and inevitably will demand something better.