[nandm]

I am taking a college writing class online. One of the things that is required is postings to a discussion board. We also have to post on the same board rough drafts of our papers for a peer review. This has forced me to acknowledge that I still have the character defect of being overly sensitive. When reading the comments on my paper, my first reaction was one of defensiveness and hurt.

Fortunately I learned from this board that when I want to reply to a post out of anger, frustration, hurt, etc... the best thing I can do is step away from the keyboard, take a break, and come back at a later time to re-read the post prior to responding. So I did just that. When I came back to the board I was able to see the comments for what they were. They were not an attack on me as a person. They were simply constructive criticism aimed at helping me make my paper a better paper. I find that today I still have to work on the concept of "what other people think of me is NONE of my business." By keeping that in mind I am better able to respond in a constructive way rather than out of pain, fear, anger, or frustration. I am so grateful for the tools the program of AA has given me.