Coping

After all the drama I had around Mother's day, I had an appointment with my therapist, in which I was given some "tools" to help me cope with 'people that want to control certain aspects of my life' I have in fact been able to use these tools and have found that they work very well!

It's amazing how simple rules like: walking away or removing certain people from your life & learning to disengage from argumentative conversations can make such a difference. I have been able to put myself around a certain person without even speaking to them, as a matter of fact I have not made eye contact either. Even at times, when this person was in the same room as me - they attempted to answer questions I had asked someone else, I simply ignored their reply and walked out of the room. Even still, I have not kept my children from the person (even after my therapist stated "if i were you, there is no way in hell I would allow my children around her") She has the ability to call the kids, she knows where we live, and even is listed as an authorized pick up person at the daycare center we are using for the summer. Yet, she chooses not to.

I am by no means a perfect person, I've never claimed to be. I just know that what I feel is the right thing to do is not always going to be what someone else thinks is the right thing to do. My opinions are in fact MINE and mine alone. I have the right to express my opinion, but I will never try to persuade someone into agreeing with me just because I do not understand them. Too often people will judge others negatively based on a simple "lack of understanding" and in return will miss out on some very important life lessons.

The way I see it . . . .

I live my life the way I see fit - some may like my lifestyle, others may not. I don't tell others how to live their lives and therefore I expect the same RESPECT for letting me live MY LIFE as I choose.