This reminds me of one of my yesterday's meditations... We (if we are well conditioned to people pleasing) have the hardest time saying no to people because in fact it's saying yes to me! Of course there is always balance, but I think sometimes we're trained out of balance but taught to believe a lie because someone wanted to manipulate us.... just my thoughts. Hang in there. Maybe try one thing new a day... like saying YES to you!

...so?...i tease Joan, ms. Skeen says it. it's a human thing. i can see me saying those words that you use...sometimes we [the human specie] can't see the blessings because of one [perhaps little] thingee doesn't go right...yet i'm not belittling your plea...i am painted with the same Lord's brush: i feel like, and i'm 62, i've been "phoney" more times than i've been genuine...but then again, that's a lotta years to think back-on...so in toto, i'm hoping St. Peter will let me pass...well written, annnnnd Ms. Joan, EVERY POME[sic]IS UNFINISHED, SO IT'S MORE WHEN WE DECIDE TO "STOP" IT...GOOD WRITE.

I don't know. Seems pretty complete to me. Really good, too.

OH Joan. I too wish i could stand up and shout "THIS IS ME LIKE IT OR NOT. I'M TOO OLD TO CHANGE NOW." I feel your plea and stand beside you. wishing you health and peace, my friend.

if you can breathe and dream and do, Joan, you are not too old. Never. To realize the truth, as you do here, is the first step towards going without fear into its light

Again, you voice quite well what many suffer from in this life, so know you are not alone. And we all should remember that, what we believe ourselves to be, we are. We need to stretch our vision. See what can be, not just what is. Practice adding value to things, to people and to ourselves. You shoot from the hip here again, even by writing these poems you have already have become more than what you may be giving yourselve credit for. Thanks.

so, my questions is...what is it that you want to do or be? your poem reflects thoughts that i have heard from others many times, but when i ask them what it is they want, they do not seem to know...only that what or where they currently are is unsatisfying. change is difficult. it is much easier to sit back and bemoan our lot in life. i know, i do it.

"too old"? Joan, this is greatest lie that society tells it's people. You are never too old to have what you want. As long as you have the will, you can achieve so much. And you Joan, have an amazing will. Is this a work in progress? Yes. As this is only the beginning of the journey. You can change and be who you want to be. And that is the road i hope to read about soon.