Thanks to everybody for their kind words and wisdom, it has really helped.

The funny thing is, sometimes I find myself being able to deal with negative situations. It almost like I don’t care (not caring isn’t the correct word because I actually care so much, but it is the only word I can think of to describe it so it will have to suffice). Then there are times when I think my head is going to explode. Sometimes I just want to tell people to shut the hell up. I don’t know what it is, but it seems like most people I know will find the one negative thing about a situation and focus on it. I really can’t stand that and I’m beginning to see that that’s OK. I am human; I am allowed to have feelings and emotions and it’s perfectly reasonable that I get angry. I spend a lot of time and energy trying to fight that anger and I need to just let it be what it is. I need to take myself out of stressful and negative situations; I’m seriously working on that at the moment.

My “introduction” to all of this type of thinking came from the works of Marshal Rosenberg and his ideas about non-violent communication. Although I think NVC can be limiting to growth to a certain extent, I’ll never forget one thing Mr. Rosenberg said–never do anything that you don’t want to do. I have changed a lot in the past few years to live a bit closer to this adage but it continues to be a process. I guess it always will be.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 11 months ago by Jon King.