Cat's Paw's Validating Communications

[Gaining Strength]

Cat's Paw

In another thread you wrote:
How cool! A degree in philosophy- and you went back in your thirties!  What I've read would not even fill a thimble, but I like "ideas".    At times people have told me I tend to be serious, and I am.  I know that as for myself, sometimes I consider what people are saying, and respond back in a manner that I'm trying better to understand the idea- or even the emotion trying to be conveyed, and it is in a spirit of inquiry or communication.  Does that describe a little bit how you tend to be? In other words, I hope you'll let me know if any of my communications to you are ever invalidating.

I find your communications to be very validating.  It's one of the things I love about this place - it is a good place to give and receive validation and you have been good at that too.  I'm glad you are here and I enjoy your posts. - your friend - Gaining Strength

[cats paw]

GS-

   Thanks for the calming and soothing!  I feel more at ease with face to face or telephone conversations because of all the extra information that is available for sender and receiver.  I'm not good with computers or typing, either, but it's a good opportunity to practice.
   As I mentioned, I'm going to try not to worry so much because it's other people's responsibility to let me know if I have inadvertently stepped on toes, or just communicated poorly.
    I can't get it all figured out ahead of time, even if my intention is good.  This relates to my "stuff" that when I did make a mistake as a child I was told I should have known enough not to make it in the first place.

   Thanks for attending to me to assist with my "stuff"!!

Cat

[Gaining Strength]

Cat's Paw - I am so glad to attend to you to assist with your stuff because like you I grew up in  a household where mistakes were not allowed.  My life has been so painful ever sense.  I unwittingly became resentful and angry that others got away with mistakes scott free or got helped when they had trouble due to an error.  For most of my life I apparently offended people without having a clue as to how and so I inadvertantly alienated people and ended up quite alone. 

It is a very lonely place to be and I  have great hopes that that situation has begun to reverse itself.  If I can do for someone else what I so desparately needed then it is just a gift to me as well.  But for you it is slightly different.  I haven't seen anything but kindness and humor from you sometimes followed by an expression of concern for offending.  But I've never seen you be offensive - not in the slightest.  Your presence is much like your name - gentle like a sweet, tender little cat's paw. - your friend - Gaining Strength

[Hops guest]

Cat's Paw,

I'm so glad you're here and I hope you'll take risks, and don't be afraid to use your voice.

Please, please don't be perfect.

You either, GS.

It's so exhausting.

hugs
Hops