I will say though, that I have changed in a big way for me (and it is a "me", not the sitch, kinda change).

When I was hiking, I was rather talkative to the park ranger, some other hikers, etc...just really open and "me"...before I would be kind of reserved. And made some new friends or acquaintances, getting some practice at being just "open", "real" me and being okay with whatever response I get. Now I find I will talk with, approach just about any one...so making some progress there with myself.

I guess after the rejection and such of BD and this whole, drawn out sitch, I have grown to not be afraid of it anymore, I mean, I have been through the worst rejection I can imagine (maybe parental rejection would be worse, not sure). Funny thing is, most of the time people like me (as far as I can tell).

In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. - Albert Camus

Uncertainty is the very condition which impels people to unfold their powers.-Eric Fromm