I am way impressed you signed up for an improv acting class. And from the description it does sound like a lot of fun. Good for you. I am looking into finding a pottery class and cooking class. Once sailing season ends (in a month or so) I'll be needing something to keep me busy.
Quote: ...but my goals are to do the friendship DBing. I am trying to just accept that he is who he is and must do what he has to do, while at the same time my goal for myself is to be happy and enjoy life and accept myself as I am, too. I hope this will make for an easier, gentler, more fun way to hang out tomorrow, and that I won't be too reactive to anything he might put in my path.
You & I have been on similar tracks since I joined the board! I'm with you on the just plain tired of being sad and wanting to be happy & enjoy things again.
I think we need to remember that lightening up, or letting go of the sadness, does not mean 'it' matters less to us, or we are giving up something important. It just means focusing on our lives, our choices, our emotions and the things we can control to make each day a good one.
I too have been working on just accepting that "it is what it is" and he is doing his best at trying to make himself happy. This equanimity practice has been helpful for me (I think it's from the book Emotional Alchemy):
May I accept things as they are. I wish you happiness and well-being, but I cannot make your choices for you or control the way things are
I say it over & over in my head when I'm feeling anxiety creeping in, or disappointed about some 'unmet expectation' of mine that I shouldn't have had in the first place!
And GO to the dog park! Take a cab if you must - but I am sure there are all sorts of interesting people you could meet there. Who knows, maybe the "universe" needs a little help making it happen...
I missed you here on the board - glad you've updated! Hugs, -H2H
