This is a Great Place to Be - Susan's

[rhonda13000]

It's a blessing to be here.

And I consider it to be an honor.

Permit me some ruminations on a very peaceful, beautiful Sunday afternoon... [when I probably should be out, working on my exhaust system   ]

I feel very good today; a welcome change from the turbulent past. I feel good about my future.

Confident. So many feelings and repressed emotions which in the days of affectation and facade, were never expressed.

But no longer.

Re-learning how to be a human being all over again has and is, proving to be an 'interesting' experience--but better late than never, yes?

It's good and very comforting to be here. It is a fact that more often than not, one does realize how much a given thing means to then, or how very important that it is, until it is lost via whatever mechanism.

Such was the case with me--and it was striking.

And very good, actually.

I had found early in my transition, that socializing and social situations which I formerly shunned and avoided now are very much enjoyed and sought after.

That represents a dramatic change for the better.

So many things in my life have improved...I just marvel over it all.

And whereas I vehemently rejected my need for social contact in the prior atate, I find that I now actually have come to very much need and to depend upon it.

"To need others and to acknowledge the same."

Indeed.

[Brianna]

" need others and to acknowledge the same."

What, exactly, do you need people to tell you?  I don't need anyone to tell me I'm happy, loved, pretty, or anything of the sort. I know it.

Bri

[rhonda13000]

" need others and to acknowledge the same."

What, exactly, do you need people to tell you?  I don't need anyone to tell me I'm happy, loved, pretty, or anything of the sort. I know it.

Bri

Satiate my curiosity, Bri: have I become your favorite target now?

[Brianna]

Why do you see yourself as a target? Do you see yourself as a victim? Do you feel like people are out to get you?

Bri

[rhonda13000]

Why do you see yourself as a target? Do you see yourself as a victim?

I will not sustain this here, for the sake of the integrity of this forum.

I will deal with this, via backchannel communication with other moderators.

[Melissa]

Why do you see yourself as a target? Do you see yourself as a victim? Do you feel like people are out to get you?

Bri

Bri, I think she meant a target of "drive-by" therapy.  

Rhonda, I think Bri is just trying to use what she has learned while studying to become a gender therapist to help members around here as she see that she can help.  It's all good.

Melissa

[rhonda13000]

Why do you see yourself as a target? Do you see yourself as a victim? Do you feel like people are out to get you?

Bri

Bri, I think she meant a target of "drive-by" therapy.  

Rhonda, I think Bri is just trying to use what she has learned while studying to become a gender therapist to help members around here as she see that she can help.  It's all good.

Melissa

No, I don't think that such is the case, hon.

Her statements are designed to be subtly or overtly antagonistic, but this isn't causing me any great consternation.

I will deal with her via backchannel comm.

[Melissa]

Well, I know all to well the temptation that exists to use knowledge you are gaining while being immersed in studies.  I always wanted to do this when I was studying network administration and ended up setting up my own server.  When you are learning how to look at the underlying reasons for how somebody operates, it is only natural to want to practice.  However, I think the person's permission should be asked first rather than assuming that the permission is implicitly given just by being a member of this forum.  There is such a thing as unwanted advice.

Melissa

[rhonda13000]

It is good that you are here, Melissa.

And I refuse to allow myself to become angered and inflamed over something inconsequential, like this.

I have had enough of that sort of thing.

We both remember the 'bad old days', do we not, my good sister? 

[Melissa]

Of course.

Melissa

[rhonda13000]

"Gender Therapist"?

Indeed. A laudable and commendable goal.

As I had mentioned in the other forum my therapist some time back, when I expressed interest in becoming one myself told me,

"You would make an excellent therapist. You would be much sought after and much loved."

I have been there for others and there is no feeling comparable to the one felt, when you know that you have helped another human being--or even saved their life.

As much as I wanted to prior to self-discovery and subsequent initiation of transition, I just could not do this for others.

Be there for them, listen, talk to them and help them.

But afterward, I found myself finally able to do that and I have been honored to be there for a number of sisters.

You know Melissa, there is just too much suffering among us and nobody really understands, but us.

I am pursuing this course myself, as a secondary vocation.

If Bri really wants to pursue such a noble undertaking, then "More power to her", I say.

The need exists.

[Melissa]

  It is something I myself have been considering for quite a while as well.  I love helping other people SO much and I have helped with both gender related issues as well as non-gender related issues.  However, I have a history of wanting to suddenly switch careers and then I ending up losing interest after a while, so I will wait to see if the desire and commitment to do this persists.

Melissa