Authentic self

Yes, so many good people here and so much good information. Hugs to you Fuzzy!! You are one sweet, lovable bear. They say you really wouldn't want to hug a bear (they aren't as cuddly as they look) but you WOULD want to hug Fuzzybear.

I just followed your lead, Fuzzy. You're the best leader I could've looked to in the beginning and to this day.

to everyone here.

My parents did not hug me either Fuzzy. I am continually shocked and horrified by the therapists you have had the misfortune to meet. A therapist would say, "I have no empathy for you" to me and I'd be thinking, "then you are in the wrong profession, get out now." For anyone who does not know, here is a good definition of empathy: "Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another's position."