Alessa, I wish I had some good advice to give. All I know is to take the baby to the doctor whenever there was an issue. So, baby with fever? And not keeping food down? That would have me sitting in the emergency room for hours. But, I had my mother and wife to help. Wife use to work in a hospital and had some medical training in her country.

Anita, I like watching the dog whisperer. The guy doesn’t just train the dogs but also the owners. This way both the dog and the owner have what they need from the other. One is the leader and the other is a follower. Remember that dogs take their cues from their owners. If you are depressed then they will be too. If you are happy then they are running around happy too. Dogs can be happy just hanging around you all day. Oh, I like the one video where the dog has a bunch of buttons that can be pressed to say words. The dog knows what is being said. They can ask for food or to go to the park.

Alessa, sorry to hear about the illness. That is going to happen more when kids start going to school. One thing my wife makes us do is to wash our hands as soon as we get home. This way, whatever we touch outside isn’t all over what is inside our home. Everyone knows about taking off their shoes so as to not drag dirt from outside into the home. But, washing hands is helpful too. Hope you feel better soon. That is tough to do if one doesn’t get enough rest. Constantly having to prepare meals can be tiring. Then the dishes afterwards. So, sometimes, I make lots of food then have leftovers for two or three days. Always be careful in storage and handling. Making sure to reheat to 165 F for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

While reading your opening post, I found myself thinking about my life as well. Presently no close friends. Only my wife and daughter tolerate living with me. I have had best friends that later in life turned out to be nothing more than acquaintances. One such friend, who I contacted after years of not hearing from, put out word to his friends that those who wish to stay in contact with him to let him know. Well, I did, and he shut me out. Changed his phone number. Dropped/Closed his Facebook. Basically hid himself from me. Well, it shows what kind of person he is. I have another friend who moved away. Went to a different school. We use to play basketball in the park as kids. I was never any good and we almost always lost because of me. He wasn’t happy about that. Well, after years, he found me on Facebook. Reached out to me. And said that I changed his life for the better. As kids, we went to the boys club of america. There they had tests for scholarships. I took the tests and insisted he also take the tests. He did well and got into a good school (moved away) where he met his high school sweetheart and married her. Guess he is happy. He said he wouldn’t have taken those tests if I had not insisted. He found me and thanked me. I told him that was all his own choice. Never thought he would come to find me. Goes to show that sometimes there are bad people and sometimes there are good people. Some only think about themselves and others care about their friends. Sorry, didn’t mean to make this about me. But, I did. Sorry. My only words of advice is to keep trying. Never know what you will find. Best wishes.

Hello Kane,

That is a great statement. Saying you love learning. I have found that the way to learn is to suspend one’s own beliefs and take on what is being presented by others. Take it in and digest it. Roll it around and play with it. Then apply your own knowledge to what is presented. Do they work together? Is it something that would help you? If not then move away from it. Try not to dismiss the person due to the things being said. Time to move forward.

It is good to hear that you are so much better now. Whatever the transformation, it seems that you are happier. And usually that is as much as we can expect from life. (For others, they may leave a legacy of sorts. Extreme wealth like the Rockefellers. Or extreme intelligence like Einstein or Newton. Or enduring companies like Microsoft or IBM or Samsung.) There are people who search for things and reasons. Some are religious. Some are not. Some becomes sages and Buddhas. Most are just regular people. So, for me, a little happiness.

My purpose or goal in life? I guess that would be just sitting and finding that perfect stillness or emptiness. Finding I am not separate from the world. Being consciousness and awake. It isn’t a lofty goal like opening a hospital or school. And some might find it downright selfish. But, if I don’t take care of myself then who will?

It doesn’t matter what kind of relationship one has with relatives. It is important to have a space that one calls one’s own. It is tough enough to share the space with your spouse. Throw other relatives into the mix and it becomes a circus. That is only my personal opinion. I do not know your complete situation and would not give advice. I wish you well.