I'M NOT NEEDY

I DON’T NEED TO . . .

. . . ALWAYS BE RIGHT. Sometimes being kind is more important.

. . . ALWAYS DO MY BEST. Sometimes less than that is okay too.

. . . ALWAYS GIVE MY OPINION. Sometimes it’s not needed/wanted.

. . . TALK SO MUCH. Sometimes listening is more important.

. . . BE AN ADDICT in order to cope with life.

. . . CRITICIZE OR DIMINISH OTHERS to feel good about myself.

. . . STEAL YOUR THUNDER. I will always let you shine.

. . . ONE UP YOU. Our friendship is not a competition.

. . . BE IN A RELATIONSHIP to feel complete. I complete me.

. . . JUDGE OTHERS. I will tend to my own garden.

I DON’T NEED TO . . .

. . . BE A SIZE 6 to feel good about myself.

. . . UNDERSTAND ART to love it.

. . . AGREE WITH YOU to respect you.

. . . ACCEPT ABUSE FROM ANYONE. You do NOT have my permission.

. . . PROVE MY POWER. Having it is good enough.

. . . BE VALIDATED by anyone.

. . . BE EMBARRASSED. It’s good to laugh at myself.

. . . HAVE A DESTINATION. Sometimes the joy is in the journey.

. . . UNDERSTAND YOU to love you.

. . . LAUGH AT YOUR EXPENSE. Although I love to laugh at mine.

I DON’T NEED TO . . .

. . . LET BIPOLAR DISORDER DEFINE ME. I am so much more.

. . . LET GRIEF DESTROY ME. I embrace the love and the pain.

. . . ALWAYS BE STRONG. I can ask for help.

. . . BE LIKE YOU. Being me is just fine.

. . . CLOSE MY EYES to see your face.

. . . LIE. I am brave enough to be honest and gentle.

. . . HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS. The ones I have love me well.

. . . BE GRACEFUL to be a lady.

. . . TALK SO MUCH. It bears repeating.

. . . EAT A SHIT SANDWICH to know I wouldn’t like one.