Thank you innocentjoy for sharing. Its so much easier to be kinder to others at times than we are with ourselves. I will try and be kinder to my other parts. To me.

Even in the last day or so my feeling have changed. Last night's dream was particularly focused on my differences. Also my sister asked me to make more food for Christmas and I was afraid. First time at her place in decades, normally they go some place else. So this year she is having heaps of people.

So I know I can go outside to breathe if I need to. Too bad if my voice changes or my neck kicks off again. I have a car if I need to leave.

I know my niece will be there. Life doesn't stop. But hope like you, I can have some compassion on myself instead of beating myself with a stick.

Maybe i can make oars of compassion in my boat of mental illness along the river of life.

Then again, if I make mistakes along the way, there is always tomorrow.