How about a laugh, (hopefully)

in reply to @olderdiva12345 I am glad this gave you a laugh. I need one now, and perusing the recent posts of others has helped. I just looked at a quote: "Whoever is trying to bring you down, is already below you."
-kushandwizdom

I have previously posted about a comment a "friend" made to me that she thought I looked like a Holocaust victim. She called me today but I did not answer the phone, so she texted me asking if she could call and I said "No, I am not well." She told me to pray. Finally I told her that because I feel honesty is always best, her comment to me really resonated. In fact, I went to ULTA cosmetics a few days ago and asked one of the young women there if they had any products that might help me look a little more "alive." She gave me some samples to try, and if I like them I will go back next week to buy something. I do not wear makeup, but used to when I was working. So, I told this "friend" what I had done, and her response was that she was glad I was getting something to help me look less "gaunt." Perhaps I am sensitive to such comments because I have always taken great pride in my appearance. My clothes are always ironed, creased down the front of my shorts, that I now have to buy in the boys department because my normal 31 inch waist is now 24 inches. I texted this person back and included the definition of "gaunt" and asked her if she had ever seen the movie "Bambi." You know, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." I always liked Aesop, "The prudent person looks before leaping." Anyway, this evening the woman texted me back and said that "gaunt" is not insulting. I beg to differ, especially considering that I have lost 40 pounds in one year, unintentionally. I wonder how any of those men and women at the infusion center I saw last week would feel if someone told them they looked "gaunt" and their friend was glad they were buying something that might better their appearance. I want to cry, but can't. I don't understand people anymore, at least those among us who have no sense of humanity or kindness, like we do. All of us on this platform have suffered, are suffering, and while I wish I could save all of you, I know that I cannot. However, all of you have saved me in more ways than I can tell you. I ask so little of others, this was the way I was raised. It is not a bad thing, but sometimes I do feel like I need some help, and now is that time. The woman who texted me also said that she had apologized, and that she was leaving it up to me to decide whether I wanted to be "friend" or "foe." I don't want either. All I want is peace, respect, maybe some love, and also some sense of humanity thrown my way, because I think that as a decent person, I deserve at least these things. I recently began following a guy on Instagram, where I go mainly to look at Smuckers, a pit bull who is always cute and reminds me of my dog who died last year. The fellow's name is Dan De Luis, and he lives in Ontario, Canada. He is amazing, and the wisdom he shares is so "right on." Things like "protecting your peace," getting rid of "toxic people" and things of that nature. On Sundays he has a half hour program with deep breathing which I watched for the first time last Sunday. I do not know if he is a mental health professional, but he is very astute about people and how we have to choose the "right" people to be in our lives. He is of course, a stranger to me, but he has been of great help to me, and he has helped me to reestablish my feeling that perhaps there are kind people in our world who give without asking of anything in return, like we do.
I woke up one morning this week covered with you know what and had to do three loads of laundry. This is my life. I wonder how my "friend" would react if I shared this with her. However, I still lift weights, create beautiful things for others, and my garden looks like something out of Sunset Magazine. I know, pride is not really supposed to be a virtue, but for me it is, because I did not learn how to be proud until my dog died and I became ill. I recently sent my sister a card and told her that I had not told anyone that as a result of my illness I actually think I am a pretty good person, am selfless and a loyal friend. I wonder if anyone else has become more empowered as a result of their diagnosis, whatever that may be.
Tomorrow I am going to Harvest Day at the UC Davis Horticulture Center so that I can support my friend, who was once my doctor. And yes, my clothes are already ironed and I just might wash my shoes tonight. Crazy.
Thank you for reading this, and also for helping me find my way in the dark without a light.

One dark night in Dublin a fire started inside the local chemical plant.
In a blink of an eye it exploded into massive flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around.

When the fire fighters appeared on the scene, the chemical company president rushed to the fireman in charge and said, “All our secret formulas are in the vault in the centre of the plant. They must be saved. I will give 50,000 euro to the fire department that brings them out intact.”

But the roaring flames held the fire-fighters off.

Soon more fire departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate. As the firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now 100,000 euro to the fire station who could bring out the company’s secret files.

But still the fire fighters could not get through.

From the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the nearby rural township volunteer fire brigade, composed mainly of old men over 65. To everyone’s amazement, that little run-down fire engine roared right past all the newer sleek engines that were parked outside the plant. Without even slowing down it drove straight into the middle of the inferno.

Outside, the other firemen watched as the old timers jumped off right in the middle of the fire and fought it back on all sides.

It was a performance and effort never seen before.

Within a short time, the old timers had extinguished the fire and had saved the secret formulas.

The grateful chemical company president announced that for such a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to 200,000 euro and walked over to personally thank each of the brave fire fighters.

The local TV station caught the thank you on film and asked the chief, “What are you going to do with all that money?”

“Well,” said Paddy, the 70-year-old fire chief, “the first thing we’re gonna do is fix the brakes on that bloody fire truck.”
Jake

Reading this at 1am as cant sleep.... I am only another human being no better no worse than others in the long run. We are all created equals and our lives are shaped by genes and by how we are raised, our parents values taught to us etc. I cannot really go on because I am not a social worker or therapist, but I am now older and with illness and esp. last three years , it has changed me... from a kind person, maybe not the highlight of the party, but in my own way being nice to those I met, and helped family how I could; how that has been taken away from me by my physica and mental situation and I dont like myself very much. Only from the above I wonder if maybe as I was/am a "sensitive" person; i recall reading a book titled The Highly Sensitive Person and I checked all the boxes. Some people can be called names such as gaunt, and many others of course, and that rolls off their backs... I dont know how they do it... my husbands cousin, she has so many problems and going through eye trauma and needles into the eyes yet doesnt talk about it and I feel doesnt worry about it as much as I would; but we are all equal but all different in so many ways. A lot of chat boxes here are quoted favourite sayings, or well known ones and comes to mind: Be True To Yourself. If you cannot be kind to others, dont be unkind, etc. However, we canot expect others to feel the way we do and say the things they say to have certain impacts on us: yes you will have to make a decision, remove this person from your live, or, another saying: Forgive And Forget. ...well better try and get to sleep, i listen to relaxation tapes on you tube on ipad on pillow nest to me,,,the words can be so very comforting and its if the person is peaking only to me! Take care and best wishes, J. (ps excust typos, dont this int he dark! J.

in reply to @olderdiva12345 I am glad this gave you a laugh. I need one now, and perusing the recent posts of others has helped. I just looked at a quote: "Whoever is trying to bring you down, is already below you."
-kushandwizdom

I have previously posted about a comment a "friend" made to me that she thought I looked like a Holocaust victim. She called me today but I did not answer the phone, so she texted me asking if she could call and I said "No, I am not well." She told me to pray. Finally I told her that because I feel honesty is always best, her comment to me really resonated. In fact, I went to ULTA cosmetics a few days ago and asked one of the young women there if they had any products that might help me look a little more "alive." She gave me some samples to try, and if I like them I will go back next week to buy something. I do not wear makeup, but used to when I was working. So, I told this "friend" what I had done, and her response was that she was glad I was getting something to help me look less "gaunt." Perhaps I am sensitive to such comments because I have always taken great pride in my appearance. My clothes are always ironed, creased down the front of my shorts, that I now have to buy in the boys department because my normal 31 inch waist is now 24 inches. I texted this person back and included the definition of "gaunt" and asked her if she had ever seen the movie "Bambi." You know, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." I always liked Aesop, "The prudent person looks before leaping." Anyway, this evening the woman texted me back and said that "gaunt" is not insulting. I beg to differ, especially considering that I have lost 40 pounds in one year, unintentionally. I wonder how any of those men and women at the infusion center I saw last week would feel if someone told them they looked "gaunt" and their friend was glad they were buying something that might better their appearance. I want to cry, but can't. I don't understand people anymore, at least those among us who have no sense of humanity or kindness, like we do. All of us on this platform have suffered, are suffering, and while I wish I could save all of you, I know that I cannot. However, all of you have saved me in more ways than I can tell you. I ask so little of others, this was the way I was raised. It is not a bad thing, but sometimes I do feel like I need some help, and now is that time. The woman who texted me also said that she had apologized, and that she was leaving it up to me to decide whether I wanted to be "friend" or "foe." I don't want either. All I want is peace, respect, maybe some love, and also some sense of humanity thrown my way, because I think that as a decent person, I deserve at least these things. I recently began following a guy on Instagram, where I go mainly to look at Smuckers, a pit bull who is always cute and reminds me of my dog who died last year. The fellow's name is Dan De Luis, and he lives in Ontario, Canada. He is amazing, and the wisdom he shares is so "right on." Things like "protecting your peace," getting rid of "toxic people" and things of that nature. On Sundays he has a half hour program with deep breathing which I watched for the first time last Sunday. I do not know if he is a mental health professional, but he is very astute about people and how we have to choose the "right" people to be in our lives. He is of course, a stranger to me, but he has been of great help to me, and he has helped me to reestablish my feeling that perhaps there are kind people in our world who give without asking of anything in return, like we do.
I woke up one morning this week covered with you know what and had to do three loads of laundry. This is my life. I wonder how my "friend" would react if I shared this with her. However, I still lift weights, create beautiful things for others, and my garden looks like something out of Sunset Magazine. I know, pride is not really supposed to be a virtue, but for me it is, because I did not learn how to be proud until my dog died and I became ill. I recently sent my sister a card and told her that I had not told anyone that as a result of my illness I actually think I am a pretty good person, am selfless and a loyal friend. I wonder if anyone else has become more empowered as a result of their diagnosis, whatever that may be.
Tomorrow I am going to Harvest Day at the UC Davis Horticulture Center so that I can support my friend, who was once my doctor. And yes, my clothes are already ironed and I just might wash my shoes tonight. Crazy.
Thank you for reading this, and also for helping me find my way in the dark without a light.

What do we learn from hippopotamuses?
That it's impossible to reduce weight by eating greens and salads and walking 🙃🦛

in reply to @olderdiva12345 I am glad this gave you a laugh. I need one now, and perusing the recent posts of others has helped. I just looked at a quote: "Whoever is trying to bring you down, is already below you."
-kushandwizdom

I have previously posted about a comment a "friend" made to me that she thought I looked like a Holocaust victim. She called me today but I did not answer the phone, so she texted me asking if she could call and I said "No, I am not well." She told me to pray. Finally I told her that because I feel honesty is always best, her comment to me really resonated. In fact, I went to ULTA cosmetics a few days ago and asked one of the young women there if they had any products that might help me look a little more "alive." She gave me some samples to try, and if I like them I will go back next week to buy something. I do not wear makeup, but used to when I was working. So, I told this "friend" what I had done, and her response was that she was glad I was getting something to help me look less "gaunt." Perhaps I am sensitive to such comments because I have always taken great pride in my appearance. My clothes are always ironed, creased down the front of my shorts, that I now have to buy in the boys department because my normal 31 inch waist is now 24 inches. I texted this person back and included the definition of "gaunt" and asked her if she had ever seen the movie "Bambi." You know, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." I always liked Aesop, "The prudent person looks before leaping." Anyway, this evening the woman texted me back and said that "gaunt" is not insulting. I beg to differ, especially considering that I have lost 40 pounds in one year, unintentionally. I wonder how any of those men and women at the infusion center I saw last week would feel if someone told them they looked "gaunt" and their friend was glad they were buying something that might better their appearance. I want to cry, but can't. I don't understand people anymore, at least those among us who have no sense of humanity or kindness, like we do. All of us on this platform have suffered, are suffering, and while I wish I could save all of you, I know that I cannot. However, all of you have saved me in more ways than I can tell you. I ask so little of others, this was the way I was raised. It is not a bad thing, but sometimes I do feel like I need some help, and now is that time. The woman who texted me also said that she had apologized, and that she was leaving it up to me to decide whether I wanted to be "friend" or "foe." I don't want either. All I want is peace, respect, maybe some love, and also some sense of humanity thrown my way, because I think that as a decent person, I deserve at least these things. I recently began following a guy on Instagram, where I go mainly to look at Smuckers, a pit bull who is always cute and reminds me of my dog who died last year. The fellow's name is Dan De Luis, and he lives in Ontario, Canada. He is amazing, and the wisdom he shares is so "right on." Things like "protecting your peace," getting rid of "toxic people" and things of that nature. On Sundays he has a half hour program with deep breathing which I watched for the first time last Sunday. I do not know if he is a mental health professional, but he is very astute about people and how we have to choose the "right" people to be in our lives. He is of course, a stranger to me, but he has been of great help to me, and he has helped me to reestablish my feeling that perhaps there are kind people in our world who give without asking of anything in return, like we do.
I woke up one morning this week covered with you know what and had to do three loads of laundry. This is my life. I wonder how my "friend" would react if I shared this with her. However, I still lift weights, create beautiful things for others, and my garden looks like something out of Sunset Magazine. I know, pride is not really supposed to be a virtue, but for me it is, because I did not learn how to be proud until my dog died and I became ill. I recently sent my sister a card and told her that I had not told anyone that as a result of my illness I actually think I am a pretty good person, am selfless and a loyal friend. I wonder if anyone else has become more empowered as a result of their diagnosis, whatever that may be.
Tomorrow I am going to Harvest Day at the UC Davis Horticulture Center so that I can support my friend, who was once my doctor. And yes, my clothes are already ironed and I just might wash my shoes tonight. Crazy.
Thank you for reading this, and also for helping me find my way in the dark without a light.

Frances. Your comments have caused me to stop and rethink a few things. I wish I could make you smile today, tomorrow and always as you seem to be in a lot of emotional pain with a friend who appears to be toxic for you, among other issue which you choose to skirt. That is the statement that stopped me as I have a toxic daughter and an have had to "delete" her. No one, not that I have told many people, seems to understand that it is mandatory for my own wellbeing and mental stability and peace of mind.

Your words did touch me deeply and I thank you for your courage and forthrightness. In addition, I will look at Dan De Luis. He sounds as though he has become a mentor of sorts and I happy for you that you have connected with him. I am in the Winter of my life and all considered am in decent health with the usual problems of osteoporosis which, compared to other's problems is minor and I am handling it with the help of a fine, Gentleman of a husband, two adorable and loving Cavalier King Charles dogs. I love them more than most humans. I was born a Southern Lady and act like one; doing for others where and when I see an opportunity. I am fashion forward, wear make up every day because I believe that I owe it to myself and my Husband. If we think we look pretty we feel Pretty.
With regard to friends I/ we have few. My stand is that if you more good friends than you can take care of and have their backs, on one hand you have too many. We can count them on one hand and that's all.
One other thought, Francis. If you are in a room with people who are smarter than you, you are in the wrong room. All the best to you this day and tomorrow and the next. "J"