And some people say Childhood Emotional Neglect isn’t a big deal. I’d say, experience it demolishing the first 45 years of your life and then tell me “it isn’t some huge crushing thing.”

I’ve survived it, which brings to mind a metaphor I’ve been playing with recently. Maybe we’re all the story of two pictures. One, a painting of who we truly are. An unchanging, beautiful portrait of our true character, our talent and potential that will never change, even if our lives are so twisted that we never discover it, much less become it.

The other, a photograph that captures the nature of our experience in life. For some, this photograph tells the story of the discovery of that painting. Parents looking deeply into the eyes of their child in wonder, amazement and a sense of profound love.

For others like myself, the photo is more like a high-speed raceway blowout that sends flaming wreckage over the safety wall into a crowd of screaming people trampling each other to escape the carnage. “Suffering is a reality here,” our old friend once said sitting under a tree somewhere far away.

This nightmare photo can easily hide that work of art from us, or distort how we see it. But, it’s always there. It never changes, and it can always be discovered, and brought forward.

Happy New Year! – G.Jerome 2016

Dear Susan, so now it’s your time to figure out who you really are, and be it. No more pleasing others or trying random things. It won’t be easy, but you can do it. Good for you for figuring this out and facing it! Wishing you success and happiness.

Dear Frank, you describe very well that “empty” feeling that so many people share. At least you know that you are not alone with it. I’m so happy that you’re going to read Running on Empty. I hope (I think you will) find it helpful. Check back here after, and let us know. Wishing you continued growth and health!

Thank you Nora! Wishing you the same!

Nora Cortes