Thanks for the hug JG,
I don't know if it is age, recovery or what but approval seeking has become less important to me. Take me as I am. Now don't get me wrong...the tendency is there. I stop and think. I yam what I yam. I am trying to be a better person...a more evolved person and part of that is accepting me as me...whoever that is.
For me right now, at my age and my parents ages I am trying to be a good daughter. Not a perfect daughter. My mother's health is not good...my father's is great, but they won't be around forever. I don't want to be left with regret which is how I handle many things. I don't want to be out there somewhere wishing I had done something but I can't go back. I have had enough of that.
My father has been in recovery (AA) for 28 years and he is still shallow and insensitive. Go figure.
Hugs,
JT