I'm a 22 year old college student. Recently, I feel like I'm losing the ones I love the most. Although we all stress out over things and have our share of worries, it can be overwhelming. I'm in school, making good grades and just trying to be sucessful. Sometimes I dont feel I give myself enough credit for the things I do. I'm always going out of my way to help other people. I'm having a hard time getting along with my mother, we argue over the dumbest things and end up saying things that we don't mean. I'm not proud of the things I've said. No matter how many times I apologize its not just going to go away. Tension is high between my best friend and I...not sure why. Things just don't seem the same anymore. After all of this, however, there is one person who changes everything. I've known this person for about 5 years and she just makes me want to become a better person. I look up to her, and she's always been there to give me advice. I wish I could just sit down and let everything out but I just feel afraid. Afraid of looking dumb. How is it possble for someone to have such a huge impact on your life but at the same time you don't know how to approach them?

I bought your book. I have to make a few life changing decisions to make my life go forward. I am a mother and wife. I have four young children and a drinking problem. I am working on staying sober and loving myself. I have put a few things ahead of my own self happiness. I will continue to allow your book and stories inspire me and lead me in a straight direction. I know the Serenity Prayer. That is a famous recovery prayer. Thank you for all of your efforts in seeing that others do not head down the path of self hate. I too have had HUGE relationship issues in the past and even currently. I have not read nor cared about all the hype with what you did or did not do wrong. You are human. I first saw you in 1996 (I think) at the Bull Run Jamboree. You are amazing.

I trusted you in silence.
But the silence went away.
The day you loved another.
rushing in, came all this pain.
the trust that has been broken.
will only cause you shame.
You took what was part of me and used it for your gain.
You took what was part of me and used it for your gain.
I pick my heart up off the floor
and ran into the rain.
Wash away all My doubts and fears
That caused me so much pain.
You took what was part of me
you took what was part of Me
I will never Be the Same........
Shane
N. Augusta SC

I think I'm struggling. My father passed away in 2007 and I find myself constantly thinking of what I did wrong. What I didn't do. What I did do and what might have made things better. He was an alcoholic and drug addict. Did I love him enough? Was I supportive or condemning? When I told him not to come around unless he was sober was it the best choice? When he cried but busted the doors down the next day - was he hurting inside? Did I make him hurt worse? Did I listen? Do I really know why he drank? Was it because of a hole inside that only God could fill? (not me) or was it just because.. he didn't care. I remember the pain in his eyes. The anger. The fear. My entire life I tried to save him. Interfere. Step in. Control things... and I think maybe I failed. Or .. did I? Did I enable him? Was I the best daughter I could be? These are things I will never know and that I can never change. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the ability to change what I can, and the wisdom to not only know the difference but .. to forgive myself.

my grandfather died on my 11th birthday. he was my best friend and my roommate every summer. we had our own little secrets and traditions and it hurts so much to know that he will never see what i have accomplished and will accomplish and he will never see his great-grandbabies. at 11 years old i had my first adult friend who just happened to be my grandfather. he would never talk to me like i was a kid, even though i really was, he always told the truth and always told those he loved, that he loved them. i miss him every day still. and will continue to for the rest of my life. i lost my best friend when i was 11 years old.