Cooky

January 22, 2008

Thanks Cooky, you sound like a cool person and you've got it all figured out re

the friends thing... there's no formula for it. You're right... it's kind of

serendipity when you make a friend.

My family are Jehovah's Witness and they shun me, because they aren't allowed to

have anything to do with me since I left the religion. It hurts big time when

the people who brought you into the world and who you grew up with reject you.

I don't have any kids either. My partner doesn't have friends either, so things

are fairly quiet in my life. Even tho I get to feeling sorry for myself, I

realise I can make the decision to turn things around, and turn a negative into

a positive experience - it's just about what you focus on and how grateful you

are for the things you DO have in your life that are good - and there's a lot.

Hopefully when the AP therapy kicks in for me, I will get the strength to stand

up do things differently.

Emails are great but can only do so much.... It's a pity all us people on the

list can't be together in person and help each other more - I would love to be

able to help someone else and forget about my own sorry state of affairs. Being

alone can make you get really self absorbed.

And besides, sometimes it's a good thing you can't meet cyber space buddies,

hehehehe ... for example you might be thinking, " gee, she's a real nutter...

I'm glad she lives a million miles away "

All the best to you Cooky...

Leonie

PS I can call the USA for virtually peanuts, so let me know if you or anyone

else wants to chat on the phone.

rheumatic Rhonda and all

Hi Rhonda and all,

It can be hard to build friendships when you are down and out. Do you have

any tips on how to make friends ?

Even from childhood, I've never been the sort of person to connect with

people and form lasting relationships, as much as I yearned for it. I don't

know why - I guess it's because of low self esteem and so people just aren't

drawn to me like they would be with bubbly people who have a healthy self

image. I'm not shy and can chat easily and take an interest in others, but

it doesn't seem to go anywhere. I noticed the most popular people talk about

themselves and their lives an awful lot, which isn't a bad thing because I

don't mind listening - but I am wary of talking about myself too much as I

think it will put people off - esp potential friends... they might think I'm

a pain in the a#% or something.

Not having any friends or family to talk to regularly is a real bummer and

makes life unbearable. I just wanted to get that off my chest, and I don't

expect anyone to have any answers.

Best to all,

Leonie

January 22, 2008

Answers in your letter.

_____

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of leonie cent

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 6:21 AM

rheumatic

Subject: rheumatic Cooky

Thanks Cooky, you sound like a cool person and you've got it all figured out

re the friends thing... there's no formula for it. You're right... it's kind

of serendipity when you make a friend.

I AM THE MOST COOL PERSON <YEA RIGHT>

My family are Jehovah's Witness and they shun me, because they aren't

allowed to have anything to do with me since I left the religion. It hurts

big time when the people who brought you into the world and who you grew up

with reject you. I don't have any kids either. My partner doesn't have

friends either, so things are fairly quiet in my life. Even tho I get to

feeling sorry for myself, I realise I can make the decision to turn things

around, and turn a negative into a positive experience - it's just about

what you focus on and how grateful you are for the things you DO have in

your life that are good - and there's a lot. Hopefully when the AP therapy

kicks in for me, I will get the strength to stand up do things differently.

MY HUSBAND HAS FAMILY THAT ARE JAHOVA AND YES THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT

PEOPLE. I AM SO SORRY THAT THEY ARE IN THIS CULT. I WAS GOING TO SAY MAYBE

YOU COULD CALL THEM ONCE IN A WHILE TO SHOW THEM YOU STILL CARE BUT WHT FOR.

THEY WILL ONLY MAKE YOU FEEL WORSE.

I THINK YOU WILL DEFINITELY FEEL BETTER WHEN AP KICKS IN BUT MAYBE( LIKE ME)

YOU WILL ALSO NEED AN ANTI DEPRESSANT. IT MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ON

THEM. I TAKE JUST ONE NOW AND I CAN REALIZE FINALLY THAT EVEN THO I MISS MY

KIDS AND GRANDS I CAN SEE THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT LIVING FARTHER AWAY.

Emails are great but can only do so much....YOU ARE SO RIGHT It's a pity all

us people on the list can't be together in person and help each other more -

I would love to be able to help someone else and forget about my own sorry

state of affairs. Being alone can make you get really self absorbed.ITS EVEN

DIFFICULT TO HELP SOMEONE IN PERSON WHEN YOU FEEL BAD YOURSELF.

And besides, sometimes it's a good thing you can't meet cyber space buddies,

hehehehe ... for example you might be thinking, " gee, she's a real

nutter... I'm glad she lives a million miles away " SO TRUE

All the best to you Cooky...

Leonie

PS I can call the USA for virtually peanuts, so let me know if you or anyone

else wants to chat on the phone.

TRUTHFULLY AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE.. I DON'T. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU

BUT I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PHONE FRIENDS IN THE PAST AND IT'S LIKE EMAIL FRIENDS.

I'M WAITING FOR AN IN PERSON FRIEND TO BE IN MY LIFE.

ENJOY YOUR PARTNER.MAKE THIS PERSON YOUR FRIEND. PLAN THINGS JUST LIKE YOU

DO WITH A FRIEND. I HAVE BEEN DOING THAT AND I FIND ITS NICE HAVING A FRIEND

IN MY HOUSE!

I REALLY HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOON. IF YOU NEED TO GET IT ALL OUT JUST SEND

ME AN EMAIL. IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AP .I AM HERE.

HUGS,

COOKY