This has been a heartbreaking summer for me but the good news is many close friends know whats going on with me and in the past few days (when I have been feeling especially sad) people that love me have said the same thing over and over. I'm getting the message loud and clear- I have to put my well being first and stop doing for others who are incapable of showing up for me.

I recognize that doing for people who aren't healthy is ultimately the same as doing for a drug addict and then being shocked when they lie or steal from you. Unfortunately in this case it means I have to distance myself from individuals that I dearly love. Putting others above my own well-being is not the way I choose to live today. I see a clear path to a wonderful state of being and that serenity will come by focusing on myself. Once again I find myself in a place where all the effort I was putting into another person must be put into me.

* By the way, I want to make note of one other thing: While this has been a heartbreaking summer so far, some amazing miraculous things have happened that I never thought I would see topped with the blessing of learning patience.

Serenity is always the goal. (photo of Cape Cod taken by: Liz)