Pep,
First off, I would like to thank you for your explanation of why you seem to have been avoiding me for quite some time (my perception - not an accusation).
Desiring to understand your reasons for this has been an issue that has weighed on my mind for some time now, because upon first arriving at MB, I very much valued the advice and support you gave me and the comeraderie we seemed to have shared. I valued it greatly and have missed it and have felt a little rejected that it no longer seemed to exist.
I am truly grateful for your explanation. I realize that you were not obligated to give me an explanation, so I thank you for that.
I hope that you understand that I was not accusing you of being snotty. Perhaps I could be wrong, but if I remember correctly, I simply posed that as a possible reason you asked the original question in the first place. I would have been glad to answer your question. I just wanted to be sure that it was a question you really did want an answer to, and that you weren't simply throwing it out there in an attempt at sarcasm. I don't think I accused you of it. I think I just asked you if that was your motive. I would have put a lot of thought into my reply to your question, and I didn't want to waste my time answering it if you really didn't care about my response.
I cannot seem to find a way of being honest with you that does not stick pins into your feelings
I appreciate your concern for my feelings. It is kind, giving, and thoughtful that you have considered my feelings.
and then I ask myself something else .... "Am I helping or harming?"
Again, this is very thoughtful of you. I will, however, offer up the point that perhaps sometimes something helpful being said CAN hurt someone's feelings at times. Perhaps, while hurt may be someone's initial response - it is something they may very well need to hear, and therefore can be quite helpful in the end...just a thought.
I would also like to add that upon the advice of others, I am learning how to take responses from people as opinions and not necessarily take them so to heart. I am an adult and I am capable of discerning between those statements which are worth exploring and those which to disregard, either because I don't believe them to be applicable or because they are simply untrue.
I will admit that my first reaction is sometimes just to be hurt or perceive it as a rejection, and while this discerning process might take me more time than it takes others, I am capable of it.
and I am perfectly entitled to discontinue the conversation if I deem it is is MY BEST INTEREST. Understand?
I understand completely, and would never wish to bring harm or pain to you, either. I have no wish to benefit from anything if it is done at the expense of someone else - particularly if that person is you - someone whose thoughtfulness and wisdom many here have experienced such great personal growth and comfort from, to include myself and Patriot.
Again, I am truly grateful for your explanation.
Sincerely,
Froz
