Hi Stef,<br /><br />I called in ~6 months ago. I was not doing very well, with me losing my first employment and the "business" I was a part of not doing very well. You gave some direction about sticking with my at-the-time mentor to establish a new career, but I can say that when I called you was definitely not only a bad time, but also quite ineffective, given the stress and dissociation I had to maintain daily. I was focused entirely on the "how" in our previous conversation and was not seeking answers to pressing questions. The result was a likely frustrating and forgettable experience as I brought my anxieties into your life. I seek to remedy that but also to have a genuine, honest conversation, which is still very rare for me. I have some questions that time away from the death-spiral of my inner parents has illuminated and I'm seeking your valuable input.<br /><br />Things have changed since July, with the ultimate step (ironically) being to do less. I ditched the gurus and mentors, and pulled back from all of the relationships I had. There was no one I was close to, and all of my social circles were built on lies I made for approval. Upon telling them of my deception, I was invariably removed from them, as expected. I now work happily and have more time for philosophy, and, hopefully soon, joy and progress towards joy.<br /><br />The core principle behind my need to lie to these groups to gain acceptance was acceptance. This never worked. Nobody valued me anywhere, especially not my parents. <br /><br />My parents taught me little. They bought us things, but never examined what we wanted with any level of curiosity. A core theme I've tried to square personally from your work is that children want to be comforted and loved by their parents, but I can't recall a time when I distinctly wanted anything to do with them. Despite my clear memories of events, I can't remember a time in my life fondly or with joy at all. Not a time I'd return to, or a moment with my family I wish I could go back to. The same feeling exists when I think of the company of others, whether it's friends or family. Frankly, I hate them (everyone), and I hate my "experience" of living up to now....<br /><br />GET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND THE FULL AUDIOBOOK!<br />https://peacefulparenting.com/<br /><br />Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!<br /><br />Subscribers get 12 HOURS on the "Truth About the French Revolution," multiple interactive multi-lingual philosophy AIs trained on thousands of hours of my material - as well as AIs for Real-Time Relationships, Bitcoin, Peaceful Parenting, and Call-In Shows!<br /><br />You also receive private livestreams, HUNDREDS of exclusive premium shows, early release podcasts, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!<br /><br />See you soon!<br />https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/UPB2025
