Something's Missing

Fiction

I left the safety of my house, moving away, just to escape the pain. For a while, I was free. Free from the pain, free from the worries.

Then I got bored, said stupid things, did stupid things.

I promised myself I'd never do the same mistake again. I didn't, I found new mistakes to make.

Fiction.

My horoscope for September 24, 2007

Don't think about things from a political angle -- just listen to your intuition.

Even if bills or other small tasks are pressing, try to direct your energy toward big-picture stuff today. Not only is it more appealing to you, it's also got more good energy helping you push.


My horoscope for September 25, 2007

Plans are shifting -- but don't waste your good energy trying to figure out why.

You are in a more thoughtful mood today and may want to take a chunk of time off from your daily routines to consider your top-level goals and philosophy -- at work, at home or in your life as a whole.

Note to self:

There's a lyric of a song that goes "Why's your life seems so bad, when you're so damn smart?"

I thought I'd share this with you.

What's an Unhealthy Relationship?

A relationship is unhealthy when it involves mean, disrespectful, controlling, or abusive behavior.

Some people live in homes with parents who fight a lot or even abuse each other - emotionally or physically.

For people who have grown up around this kind of behavior it can almost seem normal or OK.

It's not! We learn from watching and imitating the people close to us. So someone who has lived around violent or disrespectful behavior may not have learned how to treat others with kindness and respect or how to expect the same treatment.

Qualities like kindness and respect are an absolute requirement for a healthy relationship.

When these qualities do not exist it is likely that your relationship is unhealthy.

It's not healthy to stay in a relationship that involves abusive behavior of any kind

Warning Signs of a Unhealthy Relationship

Here's some scary news:

In one survey, 20% of American girls reported having been hit, slapped, or forced into sexual activity by their boyfriends.

And 40% of all teens said they know someone at school who experienced dating violence.

So if you think there's no way it could happen to you or someone you know, think again.

Know the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Does my boyfriend or girlfriend get angry when I don't drop everything for him or her?

Does my boyfriend or girlfriend make fun of the way I dress and tell me I'd never be able to find anyone else who would date me?

Does my boyfriend or girlfriend keep me from seeing my friends or from talking to other guys or girls?

Does my boyfriend or girlfriend want me to stop playing on my sports team, even though he or she knows I love it?

Does my boyfriend or girlfriend ever raise his or her hand or act like he or she is about to hit me?

Does he or she try to force me to go further sexually than I want to?

If you can think of any way in which your partner is trying to control you, make you feel bad about yourself, isolate you from the rest of your world, or - this is a big one - harm you physically or sexually, then it's time to get out, fast.

Let a trusted adult know what's going on, and make sure you're safe from this person.

It can be tempting to make excuses or misinterpret violence as an expression of love.

But even if you know that the person hurting you loves you, it is not healthy.

No one deserves to be hit, shoved, or forced into anything they don't want to do.


Why Are Some Relationships So Difficult?

Ever heard about how it's hard for someone to love you when you don't love yourself?

It's a big relationship roadblock when one or both people struggle with self-esteem problems.

Your girlfriend or boyfriend isn't there to make you feel good about yourself if you can't do that on your own.

Focus on being happy with yourself, and don't take on the responsibility of worrying about someone else's happiness.

What if you feel that your girlfriend or boyfriend needs too much from you? If the relationship feels like a burden or a drag instead of a joy, it may be time to think about whether it's a healthy relationship match for you.

Someone who's not happy or secure may have trouble being a healthy relationship partner.

Relationships if healthy can be one of the best - and most challenging - parts of your world.

They can be full of fun, romance, excitement, intense feelings, and occasional heartache, too.

Whether you're single or in a relationship, remember it's good to be choosy about who you get close to.

And if you're already part of a pair, make sure the relationship you're in brings out the best in both of you.