Dear Bobby,
As usual, you are insightful.

I stopped watching the news (and catch a headline or two on the computer) but started going to a new forum. I guess I will stop going there if it riles me up politically like it seems to.

I'm not sure what the Buddhist group is about. I think that they hold that meditating/chanting can make suffering not so bad. We can't completely avoid suffering but we can make better peace with it so that the suffering does less harm than it would otherwise. Or something like that.

My problem with them is that they seem to believe in the power of positive thinking. This does not sit well with me totally. But thinking positively is better than thinking of the worst I suppose.

Still, the women in the group are very kind and friendly and hopeful about their own lives and about each others' lives. I felt good after the two meetings I went to. And they are only a few blocks from my apt -- so no big deal for traveling. But I am not sure that I am ready to add a new thing to my life.

You found the spot. I was never a child. I was the oldest of 4 and my mother was checked out much of the time -- could barely handle anything. She hasn't changed. I raised my siblings and watched my mom so that she wouldn't freak out on us. (anxiety and other un dx'd problems)

My hypnotherapist left a message today about our getting together again on Friday next week. It is a work holiday (Good Friday) so I could see her except that I made a big appointment. Maybe I can reschedule this appointment. Maybe I should.

I last saw the hypnotherapist a about a month ago. She helps me because she makes me feel normal.

Mari