I would advise anyone who has been posting in week 2 not to jump ahead and read the other posts as many of them are quite disturbing and negative in nature. I don't know if I am overreacting or not but it seems that alot of threads get negative and there is no one there to turn them around they continue on a negative spiral and nothing is gained by the author or the people responding. I guess what I am trying to say is if someone posts something negative it is our jobs as freinds to uplift their spirits show them the bright side even if the subject is something that has affected you as well. I am not saying it doesn't help to hear that someone has had the same feelings you have,but there is a way to respond in a way that lets the person know they are not alone but there is a bright side. thanks to everyone who has helped me these past 2 weeks or so..

quote:

Originally posted by matlock:
I would advise anyone who has been posting in week 2 not to jump ahead and read the other posts as many of them are quite disturbing and negative in nature. I don't know if I am overreacting or not but it seems that alot of threads get negative and there is no one there to turn them around they continue on a negative spiral and nothing is gained by the author or the people responding. I guess what I am trying to say is if someone posts something negative it is our jobs as freinds to uplift their spirits show them the bright side even if the subject is something that has affected you as well. I am not saying it doesn't help to hear that someone has had the same feelings you have,but there is a way to respond in a way that lets the person know they are not alone but there is a bright side. thanks to everyone who has helped me these past 2 weeks or so..

Great advice Matlock...sometimes I can't even read the posts because I feel too depressed by them. I need to take your advice too and stay more positive. I also need to be more gentle with myself and take my time on the program...I've been through it once mostly just the tapes...I'm starting again with more resolve.

quote:

Originally posted by matlock:
I would advise anyone who has been posting in week 2 not to jump ahead and read the other posts as many of them are quite disturbing and negative in nature. I don't know if I am overreacting or not but it seems that alot of threads get negative and there is no one there to turn them around they continue on a negative spiral and nothing is gained by the author or the people responding. I guess what I am trying to say is if someone posts something negative it is our jobs as freinds to uplift their spirits show them the bright side even if the subject is something that has affected you as well. I am not saying it doesn't help to hear that someone has had the same feelings you have,but there is a way to respond in a way that lets the person know they are not alone but there is a bright side. thanks to everyone who has helped me these past 2 weeks or so..

I am not sure how to take this...I think I am confuesed about the first few sentences you wrote. I guess I just take things wrong when I can't see the person and their expresions...Will you clarify the first part for me please thanks

I just think from reading the posts for lesson 3 on might not be such a good idea there are things being discussed that I probably dont understand yet b/c I have not listened to those tapes. but it seemed like once the topic proposed got negative every post that followed seemed that way to. Also I was panicking last night and some of the stuff that was written was scaring me. I hope I didn't confuse you. I just wanted to give a heads up. .... Matlock