Hey Fuzzy, I tend to look back at myself, even at myself as a teenager, and bratty child sometimes, and think "man, you did so much wrong. you were so stupid." This is so uncompassionate though, and so unhelpful. I think it's part of my illness that makes me do this. Maybe that's true for you too. Remember, if you can look back and see your mistakes, you have grown. Also, you are not your past mistakes. You are who you choose to be in this moment. You are also human, and are going to make mistakes. Especially as a child.

It sounds like people in your life were not very compassionate with you when you were a child, and I'm very sorry for your experience of this. It sounds like you are blaming yourself for your "part" in the mix, or possible ways you may have behaved as a child that may have pushed people away. I want to tell you that you are worthy of love, respect, and compassion. One thing I myself am learning, is that not everyone cared about me and for me, as a child, in the way I needed. I think other people have that experience too. It sounds like yours was like that.

"Maybe I no longer need to beat myself up with that stick." I really love that you said this Fuzzy! It is TRUE. You don't need to.

I hope you know you're a pretty cool person in my book. You're so supportive here and I appreciate your presence very much!