it is extremely difficult to learn to trust again. some of us may never get to that point of absolute trust again. after all the hurt and dissapointment, we tend to turn our back on friendliness. we tend to think that all friendship comes at a price or with strings attached.
well done for acknowledging your feelings. it is not easy to face our demons.

Nope.. you have to stay here with the rest of us poor retched soles.. cause I say so..

Sorry honey..

oops souls... lmfao..

>>Should I kill myself to end global warming?

Headline: That would not end global warming.

Yeah .. a lot of people are 'out to get something'. Not all though. The trick is to find those who are not. Until you do, you are better off than being hooked up with nothing but takers.

>>Is it possible to become close with another human being who doesn't see you as some kind of meal ticket?

Yes .. but it is tricky.

Here is the deal .. you cannot change other people. You can change things about yourself. To put it simply .. maybe you won't find someone who is NOT a taker and maybe you will. In the meantime, you can not allow 'takers' to take from you.

That is about the only control you have.

The environment is going to remain pretty much what it is with or without you. On that note, I would not give my life for it.

>>Every day is a carbon copy of the day before.

Yeah ... that would not be very fulfilling. I think you need to change your passivity into acivity .. but with a little bit of caution perhaps.

You are wishing for a 'black and white' life ... it isn't black and white ... many, many shades of gray within it.

>>I'm an extraordinarily lonely person but I have no idea how to remedy that other than trying in vain to befriend people who don't really want or need me.

I really cannot say with ANY certainty .. but I think there is something you are doing or presenting that is not working for you. Some type of social 'flaw' PERHAPS. Whatever it might be, is something neither you or I can identify.

If I were you .. I would take my 'problem' .. pretty much as you have stated it, ... to a behavior therapist .. and 1. See if the IS anything 'outstandingly' wrong and 2. learn how to make a change that would improve the situation.

In other words .. print your post on paper, and show it to a therapis/counselor.

May I be familiar and say "you've got 'IT' BABE".... What have you got? A sense of humour!!!

Your comment:
" I drive over 100 miles a day when I work and not only do I not recycle, I don't even cycle!"

A CLASSIC!!!! Intended or not, got it / loved it! I feel as though I haven't laughed or smiled for months, but your comment made me 'SMIRK / SMILE'!

Your comment:
"I want to give my love to others but the only people who seem to respond to me are people who want to use me for their personal gain".

Be assured I do NOT want to 'use you for personal gain' - hey I'm way, way over in another country!

Read your post and it moved me to respond - you ARE NOT alone!

If I wanted to 'gain anything from you' it would simply be more of your humour (so I could smirk/smile again).

I tend to (try to) 'deflect ' with humour.... Makes others more 'comfortable' and the fact that they laugh makes me feel better (eg: Hey I made so and so laugh/smirk/smile, I can't be as depressing as I think I am ....)

Keep up the humour!!!

I'm looking for nothing - just trying to help / support you through...

Hugs,

Sibil

I'm a big believer in volunteer projects as a way to interact with people. It gives you a reason to be somewhere, and you can focus on the work and chat when you see openings.

well 1) it won't end global warming. The rest of us are still messing it up too. Sorry you're having such a horrid day. hugs