choublak

I know I'm snarky, critical, judgmental, et cetera. It's because I hide behind a hard shell I've developed over the years to shield myself from pain. I'm sorry.

Carlotta

I like you, you remind me of grumpy cat
****{hugs}}}

Lyssy

At least you still have your "voice". I just retreat into my clam shell and shut the heck up.

I respect people that can say what they mean and mean what they say.

Stung

Add know-it-all, whiner and bossy to that list and you've described me pretty well too. You're not alone.

Hammer

Gimme a BIG ((((HUG)))), Choublak.

I like you. I like you A LOT.

"We aren't perfect. The welcome we give you may not show the warmth we have in our hearts for you. After a while, you'll discover that though you may not like all of us, you'll love us in a very special way—the same way we already love you."

Was wondering when I would get to pull that on somebody. Might as well be you.

atalose

Your not alone with that. I'm slowly taking down my wall brick by brick. Some days I'm the master mason and can build it back up real quick. Other days I'm the wrecking ball.

Least we're trying!!!!

HopefulinFLA

Choublak, you remind me of my best friend. Hard and prickly on the outside, soft and squishy on the inside.

You don't need that hard crunchy shell here, we're all in pretty much the same boat!

redatlanta

Sometimes your posts have made me laugh out loud - you are a good egg.

lillamy

We do what we have to to protect our souls. (((hugs)))

readerbaby71

Sure, sometimes you're a little blunt but I think people know your heart's in the right place. Don't sweat it.

hopeful4

I personally think your awesome. A person should speak their mind. ((Hugs))

formyboys

Im sorry....is snarky, critical and judgmental a bad thing??!!.....all this time Ive been thinking it was the awesomeness that was me...

FireSprite

However blunt they may be, your posts always make me challenge my way of thinking & that's a GREAT & necessary thing. You will tear down that hard shell when you are ready, just like the rest of us!

Sungrl

Tough love is crucial to some of us, keep it coming!

honeypig

I remember at one of my first Alanon meetings saying that I felt like a cactus, all thorny and sharp. I understand where you're coming from, choublak.

Seren

Well, when I was younger, I would judge people all the time. I think I was so insecure that it felt like the need to get them before they got me. No one is perfect, Chou. Other people are not better or more valuable than you, you are not better or more valuable than them.

I think it's perfectly OK to disagree with someone or think that what they are doing is wrong. The true test, to me, is to separate that from their value and worth as a human being.

From my way of thinking, all people have dignity and are worthy of respect and kindness even if I do not agree with their choices or actions. I would hope that people would extend to me the grace of forgiveness and understanding just as I try every day to offer it to them.