[McTortle]

going to try to do something here, and I'm not very good at it.<br><br>
And, maybe it's attention whoring, but maybe it isn't.<br><br>
I'm really struggling today. It's nothing major - there are no lives or deaths at stake. In fact, it's probably pretty silly in the grand scheme of life and children and all that. But, I'm having trouble, and one of the things I want to try to do is ask for help when I need it.<br><br>
I need it. Please.<br><br>
I've been sick for a really long time now and every time I think it's getting better I seem to relapse. It's affecting my running and most definitely my mood.<br><br>
I have these unrealistic expectations in my head and I'm having trouble letting some of them go. The hardest one has to do with some of my own insecurities about how other people see me and not wanting to fail them.<br><br>
So, if you have the time and/or energy or whatever, if you could please help me be a friend to myself, I would really appreciate that.<br><br>
Thank you.<br><br>
Mary

 

[coachie]

Mary, take it easy on you.<br><br>
that's an order.<br><br>
coachie.

 

[seattlegirl]

(((Mary)))<br><br>
I have to run off to class, but I'll be back this evening and will PM you then.

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

As I have said over and over again..... I think you are wonderful and I hope to become such a loving, thoughful, and intelligent woman as yourself!

 

[Gingerbread]

"think it's getting better"<br><br>
Have you seen a doctor? If so, are you getting adequate rest? You have to allow yourself time to get better. How long is "really long"? And what kind of sick?<br><br>
I really hope you get better soon, but don't punish yourself for something you cannot help! If you are sick and not allowing yourself to get well, you can't meet the perceived expectations of others either.<br><br>
{{{Mayor}}}

 

[Buxtehude]

(I'm just sitting here quietly with you because I don't have anything wise to say but at least I know how to sit here quietly!)

 

[oache]

Tortlet,<br><br>
Too much fried fish last night.<br><br>
your pal,<br><br>
oache<br><br>
ps. never-ending winter + sick = suck, we could send a gentle reminder to B to send you some nice flowers.

 

[Grizzly]

Ditto to what Bux said.

 

[Alternative School Grrl]

Whom, my dear, are you failing, in particular?<br><br>
I'd be willing to hazard a guess that the people around you maintain such high standards because they're trying to stay on level with you, not vice versa.<br><br>
Your good friends will push you to excel. Your best friend is the one who allows you to do nothing but sit on her deck with a glass of wine and cry.<br><br>
So go sit on the deck and cry if you wanna.

 

[wherestheportojohn]

mary,<br>
Have you been to the doc? Gotten a second opinion? Eaten some tollhouse cookies? Painted your toenails? Visited a friend? Eaten some M&Ms? Colored your hair? Eaten some Nutella? Wandered thru a garden center and inhaled deeply? Lifted some weights or done some yoga?....I know you're sick...but trying something different may help you feel better<br><br>
♥<br>
{{McT!}}

 

[Gingerbread]

Oh, and along the lines of what Mama Porty says, if you feel like it, just take time to do nothing if it suits you.<br><br>
Watch a Turner Classic Movie some morning or something.

 

[VP of Tea]

You can't fail others because of their expectations, you can only fail yourself. That aside, you don't strike me as a failer. So there!<br><br>
Good luck getting through this. Or, maybe more appropriately 'sterkte' ('strength').

 

[mrscoby78]

You are not only a goddess, but you are the Mayor of all Goddesses (or Goddessi ?)<br><br>
{{{McT}}}

 

[HighHeat]

Is the accomplishment the <i>finishing</i> of these things, or the earnest attempt of them?<br><br>
Because the only thing you have control over is the trying. The finishing can be open to all sorts of other variables that you can't control.<br><br>
All any of us can do is to put forth the best effort that we can give at the time, and anyone who says otherwise isn't really pulling for us to be 'successful' anyway.<br><br>
Chin up Mary. You haven't failed anyone.

 

[Colby]

((((((((McT)))))))))<br><br>
That sounds like a bad combo of a few things going the wrong way...I'm sorry!!<br><br>
All I know is that you've not failed ME, and I don't think you could if you tried....In fact, you're always a great encouragement to me! I appreciate you for that, and I'm pretty sure I can say that for a lot of people.<br><br>
Chin's up...and go see your doctor, too.

 

[wyrillco]

I hope you feel better soon. I don't have any wise words of wisdom, but I do have lots of hugs! ((((mary!))))

 

[aphigirl01]

{{{mary}}}<br><br>
You are a true gem. Hang in there girl.

 

[DEturtle]

sometimes when it seems that all of the things we juggle in our lives are falling down, it helps to step back and let them fall where they may. I am not saying turn you back on everything, but step away and gain perspective. I have found that those times when I feel like I am drowning in all of my repsonsibilties of life, if I take a few hours to myself and just let it be, I emerge from it feeling a lot better. I put a lot of stress on myself and have had to learn that it is sometimes okay to just say No, I need a little bit of time for me. Don't think of it as letting yourself, or anyone else down, but as taking care of you.<br><br>
Hope you feel better {{Mary}}

 

[McTortle]

Thank you all. You really are good people.<br><br>
I got the flu at the beginning of the month and I can't shake the cough - at all, I'm still waking up during the night with it and the jags are getting harder to reign in.<br><br>
I haven't been to a doc, I guess I can't really see what they'd be able to do.<br><br>
The expectations I have are my own, I hate feeling like I'm not (and, yes, this is sad) achieving what everyone else thinks I should be. No clue as to really what I think I should be. My biggest fear is that I'm not going to be as great as something else thinks I should be and then no one will like me. I'm not terribly proud of that and most of the time I work on it and it isn't an issue, but today is harder.<br><br>
I really appreciate your help and your words. They are making a difference.<br><br>
M<br><br>
(Oache - they were out of the fish fry last night. <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">)

 

[Alternative School Grrl]

Sweetie, this sounds like bronchitis to me. I say get thee to a healer.<br><br>
And darling, for a moment let me quote Mrs. Rooooooooooooooozevelt.<br><br>
"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">