>I, myself, have vowed to start
>counseling to help me with the gamut of feelings I have about my mother's
>situation, but just haven't found the time to start, and your
>responsibilities to your family right now are much larger than mine. But
>this is one way we can get the support we need.
Chris, I think that you captured very well what many of us were trying to say
to Andrea earlier this week. My God! I think that we've all experienced the
rage, the grief, the bitterness, the resentments of having to make so many
adjustments in our lives, many of us at very early ages, too. Sometimes we've
just adjusted to one thing when wham! Here is something else from left field
that's hit us--at least this has been how it's been with me. Reacting to the
rage, bitterness, and self-pity just takes too much out of me; I've read
somewhere how many muscles it takes to scowl as compared to the number it
takes to smile. Well, I think that it is exhausting to go around being angry
and bitter; it adds even more stress to my body, and I don't need that. I
really try to work from an attitude of gratitude these days. It's a lot more
conducive to good all-around health than carrying resentments around with me.
You sound really good, Chris. I know that you've been going through a lot
with your mother. I'm so glad to hear that you're thinking about giving
yourself the gift of therapy. It has been such a wonderful tool in helping me
work through a lot of issues. I also read a lot of daily readers that offer
me positive thoughts for each morning; it is too easy for my head to get into
negative thinking if I don't keep working at it. My life is far from perfect,
but I truly enjoy life today, and I try to make the most of each day.
Carol