HI,

Of all things, I heard an interview with a former WWE wrestler, Jake The Snake Roberts, about his battle with alcoholism and addiction. AT one point the interview said you're taking all this stuff to avoid the pain, and he said, "No man, the shame. The shame of who my father was."

That one was striking to me.

I don't know you at all. All I can say is that I've been through a bad marriage and now a bad separation. I've experienced a lot of guilt manipulation and a lot of inflicted shame. I'm starting to say, "It's OK to not get everything right. I'm human," and I've begun to look at people in the eye more, and to stand up for myself a little more, adn to treat myself in some way from time to time.

It helps.

I wish you peace of mind and self acceptance, truly.