Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your insight TunedOut. I could use this tip about cooling myself off before spewing negativity, because often times earlier in life I found that I have very little space to process adverse situations. Lots of problems could’ve been avoided if I had practiced better boundaries before I allowed at one point to let everyone walk all over me with their negativity or neediness. Maybe I just needed the right people to talk to which I think is what I’m finding on these forums.

I think in my case, thankfully I am able to remember many positive characteristics off this friend. Like he is highly goal-oriented, loyal, and has an old fashioned charm to his personality. He just happened to be rather unsupportive of my more recent life choices. So I guess he considers me enough of a friend to send me this announcement, and I probably would too if I was in his shoes. But also have friends who live closer to me and have achieved a sort of confidante status far longer than this said friend. My current friendships are more balanced and more likely ones I would call upon first for an emergency or crisis. And besides if I let his opinions start to control me I know mine won’t get anywhere with him. I just don’t like this feeling as if I’m part of a dying breed who is single, or feel like I have to be dating or married to be liked and respected.

And thanks for letting me know of your experiences also. Congrats for this success in your life!