Facebook should come with a warning.....

hi greenmoo and also there is su ccess in being a great parent and raising wonderful children and any way why do we all think success is only lots of money fancy cars,huge houses? why not successes in smaller way like a person who has become a great teacher who has taught someone to become a topnotch surgeon or whatnot.I do not think success is jut the most outstanding people but otherpeople too even you and I, maybe we hae inspired others to accomplish so we have helped someone.

Hayley, that's so true. Those of us who have been surviving difficult situations are particularly successful, but people don't tend to tell the full story so they don't get the credit they deserve.

In response to both of you, if you define success in that manner then I can count myself in. I have helped so many people get going on their way to "success". I have also survived many difficult situations and continue to do so. I sometimes get very tired and in those times I have a hard time seeing the bigger picture. I also know I have made relationship choices that have taken me way off my own course and I have trouble accepting where those choices have taken me. Going through menopause seems to have been my big eye opener and reconnecting with people from my past on Facebook very much illuminates just how far off I have been.

but bunnybon what about your lovely children is that not as acomplishment too. are they healthy and happy and love you? well success comes in all sizes and ways. and just maybe she wishes she had some children that would love her and care for her in her old age.nobody had a life all fu ll of no thing but roses bunny. really.,

I am starting to notice so many of my friends and acquaintances are traveling like never before, with most going to exotic places. I use to think it was cool to go out of state, but now these people travel to countries all over the world like it is nothing. Even though you may be happy for them, it does make it worse when they brag so much about what they have or do. I guess it is best not to compare ourselves with them, because then it's hard not to see what you feel you are missing.

No , I don't see myself as a failure anymore. I'm good at my job , my boss says the best! I have dear friends and most of all , I let love find me. So no this isn't a failed life! As for comparing your friends to your story, I wanted to share my story to show that it really doesn't matter if one friend did this or got to do that as long as you enjoy what You do. And even when I thought Everyone else saw me as a failure , I did enjoy what I was doing, about 80% of the time! Who Truly enjoys All their homework, lol! So stop looking out to see what others have done and look within and ask yourself , Am I truly happy right now? If so , stop with the looking with envy at Facebook friends. and if not? Then it is time to go do what you want Now! my present makes me cherish the past , even the bad times . Why? Every experience made me who I am today. I hope you will follow your bliss . And no worries I am fine now.

Wow, I don't even know how to reply to this. I am so glad that you have succeeded in not doing away with yourself. My guess is you are so much more valuable than you were able to see yourself as at that time. I am curious to know , do you still see yourself as a failure? As for Facebook, I never had any real interest in it and did not plan to get on it but my 13 year old niece wanted some family to connect to, so there I was. She was my only friend for some time, then as time grew and more people started sending friend requests, one thing led to another. I never thought of life as a race either, and I think the problem I have is me not measuring up to mine own standards. Facebook just showed that to me more clearly by me seeing the accomplishments of people who made different choices than I did. I have to accept the consequences of my choices and that's been hard for em to do. My biggest choice was in giving so much of myself to others and not leaving enough for me to be okay.

That's true about what sarah and the others said, lumenmom. Perhaps those people just want to show that they're successful and capable and perhaps just to show off. Some of my friends on Facebook do that as well. But then perhaps you have some of the happiest moments and abilities that none of your friends have at all and that truly makes your proud of what you have in life that those friends of yours may not have.

RawBill, Just looking at your profile I am not surprised your experience has been what it is. It is apparent you are making some very sound choices that bring about good health. Just being raw is a feat in itself, because those old habits are challenging to overcome and it is made worse when others in the household do not have the same vision and work against you when you are trying to change. Even though I get very, very frustrated, I am determined I am going to turn things around. I have started with more fruits and vegetables, now I am trying my hand at smoothies (thanks to my new ninja....only thing I can afford right now). I do believe it is so good for you.

LOL, Sorry Bill I just assumed that you knew a Ninja was a blender. They have had so many informercials out that I can hear them in my sleep. Years ago when thought I was ready for change but I guess I wasn't, and I had more money to play with I bought a Vitamix blender and like an idiot I threw the thing away. I would love to have one now, but at my skill level the Ninja is a good start. I too have had to separate from certain friends and family, but I do have some really good friends who have been very encouraging. Most of them are parents at my daughter's school and many of them have been vegetarian, vegan or totally raw for some years. I'll have to stay in their cocoon for a while til I get on my feet.

What is a Ninja? Other than a Japanese warrior? A Blender I am guessing! Yeah, changing habits can be very difficult and it has not been a smooth journey for us over the years. It has been a bit of a progression both mentally, physically and spiritually too I guess over the last ten years or so to get us where we are today. We have drifted away from certain friends because of this change, but have found new ones who have the same ideals and views as us now which is really good. It is sad that our old friends have not moved on and have sort of wiped us from their circle due to our lifestyle being different to theirs, but I guess that is life and we just have to move on. I do miss some of our old friends, but if we got together now, it would not be the same.

I have let a lot of the best times get past me. That is a lot of my problem. Now as health issues set in (mainly due to stress) it is so much harder to do many things. The challenge that I am making for myself is to take where I am now and try to make it as best as it can be.....making better food choices, getting more exercise, and doing things that comfort me and make me smile.