Dear Jim/Jamie:
I read the first part of your post above and want to comment so far, then I will read the rest and comment more. It came to me, something I realized a while ago and express it here. I used to think that my changing of a core belief because I was in my early 50s attempting it for the first time in my life, that is having been introduced and considering the concept for the first time at 50+- I thought it would be more difficult because of the DECADES of having believed in the false core belief. Over time I realized that once the core belief has been established in the brain pathways, circuitry- it doesn’t matter if it was going on for a few years or a few decades- it has already been established. Of course how we lived the decades with the false core belief makes a difference in adding lets say more abuse to our lives as adults or not having experienced growth promoting experiences. But as far as the core belief itself, its not more established in 50 years than it has been in five years. I am now 54 and I know you are a few years older than me. I thought this point might be of interest to you.

Now for the rest of your post above: well, thank you too for your part in our communication- as long as any communication/ interaction is a win-win- it’s alright with me! And it is a win-win for me. I bet lots of men in the military got there to prove something, I have no doubt. Interesting how not alone we are, you, I, in our self denial and rejection… and search for acceptance. It is a process and a journey and as hard as it is (and it is, still, for me) it is preferrable to the alternative, isn’t it???
anita