we have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be

251: What are some recent compliments you've received? Do you think that they are true? 

at dinner the other night, a friend told me that I'm easy to talk to. It's probably true.

252: When was the last time you complimented someone? Do you think you brightened their day? 

today—and Hell yeah it did!

253: When was the last time you insulted someone? Do you regret what you said? 

in an argument last fall. It's one of my biggest regrets.

254: What is a change you need to make about your life before the year ends? What is a change you have made about your life? 

I need a haircut before the year ends. I have changed the frequency and intensity of my hair colors, which has both saved money and made my hair seem more healthy.

255: Have you ever experienced lucid dreaming? Would you ever want to try it, if you haven't? 

I "lucid dream" all the time. Most of the time it just seems normal.

256: What were 10 good things about today? 

    a. I slept in, and woke without the alarm

    b. ...after wonderfully crazy dreams

    c. had a lovely, quiet, low-stress breakfast 

    d. ...relaxing in the 'new' fireplace room

    e. ...looking out at the flowers on the deck

    f. took a long bath - with lemon bubbles

    g. got an eBay bid on an academic history book from grad school

    h.  listened to one of my favorite mix CDs

    i. ...driving fast on the highway

    j. ...to see a cat

257: List 3 things you have been satisfied with lately. 

    a) eating better

    b) cutting down the OT that I put in

    c) staying in touch with people I care about

258: Have you ever given yourself away to someone who doesn't deserve you? What did you learn from this experience? 

I haven't "given myself away" since I grew up. When it did happen, I was too young to get what I was risking. I learned to hold back what I need.

259: Have any of the lessons you have learned saved you from getting into bad situations? 

of course - I doubt there are any functional adults to haven't

260: When you are sad, do you get mad at others for being happy? Regardless of your answer, do you think that this is reasonable? 

depends on the circumstances. If I'm sad about something, and someone I care about it happy with it and pushes that on me on purpose, then I'll probably resent that joy. If I'm sad in general, though, others' overall happiness won't make it worse.

261: When was the last time you got anxious? 

it happens all the time, and I don't expect it to go away. I'm satisfied with being less affected by it, and knowing it's less disruptive to others.

262: Is it possible to forget about people you care about through sheer willpower? 

not in my experience

263: Are you a good listener? Do you like talking or listening? 

there are people to whom I like to talk, and a few people to whom I love to listen. Being told you're a good listener is sometimes code for "I"m going to monopolize the conversation now."

265: Where are you happiest? 

home (wherever that is at the time)

266: When are you happiest? 

when I feel like I'm doing what I ought to be. When I'm ...welcome.

267: Do you try not to get sad, or do you just let it happen? How do you prevent yourself from getting sad? 

there's no stopping feelings - they're going to be, whether you try not to feel or not.

268: Is it bad to push your problems to the side if it means that you can live normally? 

"pushing problems to the side" does not equate to "living normally." It all comes back somehow.

269: When has anger ruined a friendship for you? 

someone I dated a while ago was a passive-aggressive bully. His anger, and inability to communicate what he wanted and what he didn't, destroyed that relationship.

270: Is it possible to fake sadness for attention? Do you know anybody who does this? 

my closest friend in high school is a histrionic narcissist, so I'm full-up with experience of this

271: Have you ever been obsessed with attention? 

'obsessed' is a strong word for it. There have been times when I've needed reassurance, more than usual.

273: Who has been drifting away from your life? Do you want to talk to them again? 

I haven't been in contact with my cousins very much lately. It goes in phases but we've all been out of touch in the last couple of months. I should send out some cards and try to reset that.

274: Are you competitive? Do you like people who are competitive? 

no, I'm not very competitive, at least not in the traditional ways. (Assuming a difference here between "challenging" and "competitive.") I am drawn to people who are, though. 

 

[from here and cherry-picked; the title quotation is by May Sarton]