It's an individual thing. I've known people who couldn't go to the store by themself. I guess if they stopped and thought about the fact that they will, one day, be placed in a box (by themself) it would really freak them. I've learned to roll with the punches. My favorite phrase has become - "oh well", which can be used in any situation, depending on voice inflection! Life happens! Some people live like they are leaning back in a chair, just about to fall over. I've learned you make your own happiness by the way you internalize external events. Nobody can make me sad, angry, etc. I do that by the way I respond. I agree with Charles Swindoll, who said, it's all attitude - http://home.xnet.com/~ansible/attitude.html



>I was really addressing more of the issues that people have and how I'm unable to relate, but some also that it's made public. Like Sam, I have empathy, but just have a hard time understanding it. It's not about not wanting someone to air it if that makes them feel better - I can always ignore what I don't want to read - it's more about trying to understand other people's lives. Maybe it's my ability to be comfortable in many situations; on my own, in social situations, in one-on-one communications. Like I said, I have issues, but I just do not have an understanding of the inner workings of the insecure, addicted, depressed mind. Not yours, per se, but anyone's.