New Year, New Thread, NEW ME!

[Drew]

Paraphrasing ....

Forgiving does not mean forgetting. There are people in our lives who are toxic. They will continue to hurt us over and over and we need to protect ourselves from that. But that doesn't mean we can't forgive them. When we can get to the point that we can wish them peace, we've reached a point of forgiveness. We have set them free, and in doing so, set ourselves free. They now longer have that power over us.

[CityGirl]

I got it! I know. It is something I hope to fully achieve one day. I do wish him peace because honestly, I am not sure he really has peace right now. I have a certain measure of peace but not that full feeling of peace I hope to have one day.

I will keep working at it!

[Drew]

As will I.

[CityGirl]

It is a process, that is for sure!

How ya been, Drew? Long time no see!

[Drew]

I'm good. Busy with work and life.

I read here more than post and not even as much of that anymore.

I'm in a different part of my life now and coming here ... well, it hurts sometimes. Brings up past wounds that are better left healed. While I'm a big fan of "paying it forward", sometimes it feels that my words fall on deaf ears of people who are in the middle of their crisis. And I am in no way minimizing their pain, because I was there. And I made it through. Just not in the way most people here want to hear.

So I peek in. I read. I listen. I occasionally try to help. But more so, I try to get them to help themselves.

I made friends here that I cherish to this day. They know who they are. Some don't even know that I'm their friend, but I kind of like it that way.

[Drew]

And I didn't mean to hijack your thread!!!

[CityGirl]

Glad you are doing well! Balance is necessary!

Stop by anytime... I always appreciate your pearls of wisdom and "drewness"

[Drew]

And I'm pretty much the strongest guy you know .....

[CityGirl]

Good memory!

And totally so!

[pearlharbr]

Hey CG, just catching up.

What struck me about the latest exchange is that H just doesn't get "no contact" because he knows that he can wear you down and eventually you will say something.

Here's a thought: can you block his phone numbers? Then all contact would be restricted to email and you can set up a filter to send him to a folder so you can read them on your schedule.

You know I think you're awesome and you'll be happy and successful in life even with these little bumps in the road.