Saturday July 29 2007 Hello to all, This morning before getting out of bed I was wondering if I have offended one of my friends.The circumstances are that she had called me twice earlier in the week and I had not respondedbecause I was at a campsite. Well, I called her yesterday and she has not responded. The background to this concern is that because I am very uncomfortable around people and talking on the phone it sometimes takes me a while to return phone calls. This results in friends becomingannoyed with me. When they express their feelings to me, I feel badly that I have hurt their feelings but I find that I don't neccessrily call them back faster next time. In fact I find myself more reluctant to call them because I am afraid that they may express their negative feelings once again.I will let you know what happens but in the meantime does anyone have any thoughts or commentsplease express them.
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Hi Universe, I could relate to this journal entry. I too am shy by nature, and I especially don\'t like talking on the phone, not sure why exactly. I always fear a lull in conversation, and always feel like it\'s my responsibility to keep things flowing smoothly, or else it\'s a negative reflection on me as a person. I know that\'s absolutely ridiculous, but that\'s me. I don\'t have too many close friends, and I think that is why, because I\'m not one to initiate a connection, whether it be a phone call, or just popping in on a friend. I am also really into the whole self-help revolution and have been on a spiritual journey of sorts for the past 7 years or so. My only comment is to just be you, find comfort in your own skin. You are the way God has intended for you to be, shy or not, and you are loved.
I have had to learn that everyone, me and others, have a right to their opinions and to just keep thinking about that when others express themselves and to not take it as a bad reflection on me - or even a good one - but simply as their opinion and having nothing to do with me. Even if they mean it that way. If criticized i must simply reflect on if what they say is true and if not state that and state what in my opinion is true - as i am entitled to my feelings, thoughts and opinions too. But if I believe what they say is true then i think whether I want to change that - for my benifit - in which case i thank them for the information and work on me to make me more what i would like to, or if indeed i like that aspect of myself even if they don\'t in which case i state my intention to remain, in that respect, exactly as i am, as is my right, because I like me very much. I do this politely without raising my voice or accusing anyone of anything and they cannot rightly argue the point though they may very well not approve as is their right. Hope this helps.
I have had to learn that everyone, me and others, have a right to their opinions and to just keep thinking about that when others express themselves and to not take it as a bad reflection on me - or even a good one - but simply as their opinion and having nothing to do with me. Even if they mean it that way. If criticized i must simply reflect on if what they say is true and if not state that and state what in my opinion is true - as i am entitled to my feelings, thoughts and opinions too. But if I believe what they say is true then i think whether I want to change that - for my benifit - in which case i thank them for the information and work on me to make me more what i would like to, or if indeed i like that aspect of myself even if they don\'t in which case i state my intention to remain, in that respect, exactly as i am, as is my right, because I like me very much. I do this politely without raising my voice or accusing anyone of anything and they cannot rightly argue the point though they may very well not approve as is their right. Hope this helps.
I have had to learn that everyone, me and others, have a right to their opinions and to just keep thinking about that when others express themselves and to not take it as a bad reflection on me - or even a good one - but simply as their opinion and having nothing to do with me. Even if they mean it that way. If criticized i must simply reflect on if what they say is true and if not state that and state what in my opinion is true - as i am entitled to my feelings, thoughts and opinions too. But if I believe what they say is true then i think whether I want to change that - for my benifit - in which case i thank them for the information and work on me to make me more what i would like to, or if indeed i like that aspect of myself even if they don\'t in which case i state my intention to remain, in that respect, exactly as i am, as is my right, because I like me very much. I do this politely without raising my voice or accusing anyone of anything and they cannot rightly argue the point though they may very well not approve as is their right. Hope this helps.