doesn't this put the answerers in quite a predicament? i for one am afraid to answer. but look, this is an answer. how can i respond if responding is automatically with conflict?

I care what the people I care about think .... Their concerns and if I fugg up.....

When it comes to people I don't know ... I don't need their approval so it doesn't really matter to me in a sense.... I wouldn't try to offend anyone intentionally though

Gotta love brass ovaries!!... I think I have some of those.....

I do agree though that we see things from our perspective and sometimes we're right and I'm sure sometimes wrong........ If I am feeling more fragile I may be hurt easier

Are you okay sweetie?.... Big hug.....xo

Just started a new volunteer project cleaning up U.S. Highway 51. A whole new set of people to interact in a new environment.

Predictably enough, my social anxiety is a-ticking. Think I am navigating it well enough, but taking extra measures, just in case.

Yea, ET, you might hit the median reaction from the people I did ask. Can you believe it? You have a Normal Spot!!!

but my life is ruled by what other people think. i'm frozen in inaction because of what i know they will say about what i want. love, think, say and do. as things pertain to me, i think if you add it all up, you realize you can't add it all up. nothing makes sense but showing the "me" opens me up for ridicule and rejection and ostracization. is that where "Normal" takes everyone?

Like minding our own business is a full time job once somebody begins to do so, arfie, reading our own minds is quite an endeavor. The farther I've gone in life, the more I've realized job #1 for a human being is figuring out what they themselves are thinking, what they're feeling, who they are.

That's a lifetime's job for a person in this world. It's hard to do. That's why a lot of people give up on it and lose themselves in others in codependency, in drugs and booze, in becoming workaholics, lots of ways of escape.

Having realized that has made me read more biographies lately, to see how other people have done it.

I love homemade bread. I really really love it. And tea.

((My thoughts usually aren't all that profound. And if I look annoyed, it just might mean that I'm out of flour and need to go buy more... My thoughts about you, are waaay behind that fresh bread sitting on my counter.))

Okay arfie, My mind has been tossing the realities needed to take flight. To where? Area 51 on a map of a couple of states away from me. I have thought about it and anxious that I have too many ends to tie up before such a venture could be taken. The every day needs of Baby D (who got sick this week) and car needs a new valve stem or two, from what I am told. The doctor appointment was done and waiting on final grade to clear what my next step will be after meeting with advisor....Do you see the spiral of what knots getting in line? Can I stay or can I go? I know that I can't just jump for more than a few hours from point A-point B.

Hugs, was it what you thought?

Jewells, I think that when the time is right, if ever the time is right, all the pieces will be there.

Let the dream motivate. Let reality dictate.

Area 51? Would that be the one in Nevada? Feel like I'm missing something.

HWY 51. But then where? a little south and I could visit SIL, a little ///way west Lilly Potter or run the shore north and land on sisters doorstep or Lake mi. Beach,-Saugatuck area. Glamping in a hotel for sure.

So much world and so little time. . . There are wonders to behold on every inch of our amazing planet.

For sure I was having a hard time picturing you as one of those geeks who believe they myth of Area 51.

I do believe, and that on all those stars out there that we can not be the only example of semi intelligent life. This world was capable of supporting life, so who's to say the great Creator didn't start more gardens in other galaxies?

What do I think? I think I like to cuddle my teddy bears. And i like my new bean bag because it is comfy and I am exhausted.

But when I think about you I smile because I like you a lot. You are courageous, kind, generous, smart, helpful, funny, talented and inspirational. (((Hugs)))

Jewells, Indeed, starting a garden on only one planet would, indeed, be a powerful waste of space. I'm with you on that one. The urban myths I have heard about Area 51 are an entirely different subject. Not to knock the geeks who spread those myths, either. Takes one to know one and if you is one, you fooled me. . .

Blushing furiously, Ashley. . . . YOU TAKE THAT BA. . . er. . . um. . . Thank you.

Our egos have us believing people think way more about us than they actually are. Use yourself as an example. When you walk into a grocery store do you see people and their personalities/flaws or do you see figures standing in your way of the cereal? When you go to a party do you see confident people chatting effortlessly? Do you notice the loner? Yes and yes but it's simply expained by us projecting our own insecurities. This is a clumping judgement, not personalized. That's how my mind wraps around it and what makes me put one foot in front of the other when I leave my comfort zone. When I open my socially awkward mouth and stutter over words I feel stupid, especially when what I say is an inappropriate attempt at humour (one of my defence mechanisms), I feel judged but I have the luxury of going home and laughing it off because hindsight is awesome and I don't take myself seriously. I take a lot of comfort in that but during is annoying and I avoid as much as possible. Not because of insecurities but because my depression, low grade but there, makes my give a fuck energy cup only take on so much. I judge people I know who ignore me every other day of the year but make an effort to look like we are so close during events. I have no problem letting them know it's wasted effort and if any one cared to ask they'd get a thorough report at how not close we are. Usually shuts them up lol, actually shuts them up every time. I get told I'm a brat but I'm a happy brat who doesn't need the skills of faking it in this world as I don't work...no one to impress lol...ah freedom.