I, as you, find much comfort in BC, as both a means for enjoyment, comfort (as in the "I am not alone" kind of thing), self affirmation, self actualization - the ability to write and be able to offer it to others for their reading enjoyment, a bit of attention for same, and the privilege of being able to share personal things in a safe non-judgemental environmrnt.

BC is all that for me, and more. And, I suspect, for you and many others as well. In a way, it's like home.

Someone I met in BC when I was new here made me realize that exact thing - that BC is a home not just for me, but for others, too.

I guess her analogy was what caught me, and how well it fit in with what my therapist was saying at the time. No one in the famiy would mind that you would unburden to a loved one, for they would want the same privilege, on occassion, and besides they love you.

A burden is a burden. Sharing a burden with others makes it lighter for you, even if its not a physical burden. This a fact that psychologists and therapists rely on to make things better for their patients.

But I think that sharing a burden is just one side of the coin - sharing some of the brighter things is also necessary, so the loved ones in your home see other things in you. Share burdens, sure, but also share things that can also lighten the burden sometimes. I recently told someone via a PM that the color pallette of one's life needs more than just blacks and grays, and that there should be a few bright colors on the canvass once in a while.

In today's inflation-ridden economy, where it's a struggle to just get by, and that's on top of the TS stuff everyone around here has to deal with, it's difficult to find the colors to paint your picture. But nevertheless, the need to do so is there. To me, it ain't even an option.

When I used to do my old blog here, I tried to use more of the brighter colors, deliberately substituting the brighter shades for the grays and blacks. It was my own version of smile therapy - that, even if you don't feel like smiling, you do anyway, and in time the forced smile becomes more natural. Sort of like a post-Freudian therapy for the common man. And, I think its a bit selfish to be laying burdens alla time - on accassion I think its just fair to lighten the load. Evanescence is a great band, but Taylor Swift also has its place on one's music shelf.

I am not saying that you shouldn't unburden - you should. Especially here at home. But you should also try to look for the bright colors from time to time. And if you don't find any, try and paint them in yourself. If you know what I mean. Try n do more positive things. Try and do better at the job (not that I'm saying you don't do a good job now). Go out and do more stuff. Letting things just happen to you ain't the way to make things better.

I'm sorry for being preachy. I guess I'm saying that I'm glad to see a few yellows and oranges on your canvass today, even it's just a wallet. I prefer something closer to lavender, myself ;)

You don't have to dress goth all the time. Sometimes its good to dress like Hannah Montana.

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To see Bobbie's stories in BCTS, click this link:  http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/14775/roberta-j-cabot 
To see Bobbie's "Working Girl" blogs, click this link:  http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/19261/working-girl-blogs  
To see ALL of Bobbie's blogposts, click this link:  http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog/bobbie-c 

p.s. sorry about the Hannah Montana thing. Heehee...