Why She Feels Fat by Johanna Marie McShane

Today's Bumper Sticker of the Week: Breathe.

Seriously, when I get a free moment, I'm going to lobby President Obama to instate a National Compassion for Ourselves and Others day. Imagine what that could do for the world if we all focused on compassion a bit more (yes, I know, it wouldn't solve all the problems or anything... but it couldn't hurt, and it would certainly be good for all of us!).

In the meantime, I hope the Day was productive and reflective for you guys- and way to go Ann for all the things you were able to accomplish with your compassion for yourself!

Wow! Leanonme, great project!! And I hope lots of people join you, whether they write in or not- fair to do it either way folks :) Because the point is to be part of the community- to not have to do this work alone.

Now, in addition to your awesome challenge, and just because there's nobody here to stop me, I'm officially declaring tomorrow, Friday, "National Compassion for Ourselves Day" 

Leanonme, you write that you're in the middle of adjusting to a relationship that can't be what you want or need it to be. And I remember your comment from last week about having had to do that with your mom also.

Laura, the answer to what you ask depends in part on who you ask.

PTC, your question about why some people become perfectionistic goes along well with others I can imagine you asking, based on some of the comments you've made- such as, "why would someone hate feelings?" and "how would someone learn to hate feelings?"

I've said it before, and I'll say it again (probably many, many times): you guys rock. I absolutely love how you support each other. What a fabulous community you've created here.

Instead of a Bumper Sticker this week I'm going to go back to that one a couple of Sundays ago: Good enough is enough. Before I went away I said I'd return to it for further commentary.

Couple of things tonight.

Here's the thing about the circle exercise: it has to be what really is; it can't be what we wish it could be.

You ask an excellent question, Runforjoy: how can we know when it's ok to be honest about what we feel?