Really down

(((((((((((((Ozzie))))))))))))))

Thanks again sj. Cute warrior!

I think you have something there about the inner self. Sometimes I can't even think of what the inner self wants or needs. Stepping back seems to be a good thing to try.

Thank you for the hugs Fuzzy.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Just BE yourself...and let the rest of us and your family deal with it... I like you just the way you are!


</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> Thank you Sky. Sounds like really good advice. I'm glad someone likes me the way I am......right now I wish I did too.

Thank you for the hugs, myself.

>>I'm going to take time for me today and go to lunch with my brother.

This sounds great, I hope you had a good time. I do believe that laughter is the best medicine. It breaks down stress and maybe will help give you the "recharge" you need or at least put you on your way.

Long ago in one of my groups we had to draw concentric circles on a piece of paper and write down our support systems... in the center, the people who we trust and have no or few secrets from, and those who we could call in an emergency, including hospital and hotline numbers... In the next circle out, people who you can go to when you are not in crisis but that can help you out of a bad time... as the circles go further out you reach people you are less close to but you know they are fun to be with and can lift your mood when it is drooping and won't trigger you...

Sounds like you have a sense of this in place and your brother is in one of these close circles... so recognizing that going to lunch with him will be a good thing is another important skill to be proud of, second step after "recognizing there is a problem" ie "do something about it" (and posting here counts too )

Lunch with my brother was really helpful. He understands me and my kids. He's probably one of my safest people to be around. We talked some, had good food and had some laughs. He was a bit down too so I think our visit was mutually beneficial.

I know a lot of coping skills and practice them fairly regularly.....still a person still manages to get down part of the time. Thanks again for your help. (((((((((Dexter)))))))))

>>still a person still manages to get down part of the time.

Yep that's true. Sometimes none of them seem to work, even ones that have worked well in the past. Sometimes just having them can at least remind us that we have tools and can find a way toward better health.

Hope you feel better Ozzie.

{{{{{{Zoozie}}}}}}

(PS That was a typo but I thought it was cute so I left it... hope it is OK )

Of course it's ok. Just don't call me Susie. lol

{{{{{{{{Susan}}}}}}}}}}}} I know how you feel. Seems that when it's family, it takes a higher toll on us... especially our kids. You know how it's been for me lately. We just need to step back and let them do as much for themselves as they can. Maybe you and hubby need to do it in shifts. That's what Jerry and I do. If I see that he's angry enough or worrying enough for both of us, I get busy doing something away from his so I don't have to hear or think about it. When Jerry quiets down, then it's my turn. LOL Not that I get much support from him unless I demand it, but oh, well.

We've decided to go away for Thanksgiving rather than kiss butt or raise a stink with our youngest. We're just gonna make it a "you and me" Thanksgiving and let the kids figure it out for themselves.

AND... I think the older we get, the more problems take it out of us. It takes us longer to recover.

You said your son is doing better... so it's time for YOU. Even if it's just a day or two, ok?

Thank you ((((((((((((Tomi)))))))))))) You make a lot of good sense. My son likes for all three of us to discuss things. Taking shifts sounds like a good idea at least for part of the time. He only has 3 more weeks to go and he is beginning to be determined that he is going to hang in there. I guess I'd better get determined too.

Hubby and I are getting a break over the weekend because my son is spending most of his time with his girl friend. I know as Monday approaches, he will be distressed again. He is a student teacher and the teacher he is working for isn't very nice to him. She seems to like to humiliate him in front of the class.

I've been taking advantage of the weekend to do some fun things that I enjoy. Thanks again for the advice and I'll keep you posted as he progresses thru the next 3 weeks.