These are my personal opinions.

Always seek a professional when you're making choices about your mental health and well-being.

Welcome to the show.

I'm going to get right into today's topic.

I don't know where this is going to go.

We'll see.

Person wrote, hey, Paul, I've been a long-time listener.

I really appreciate your perspective. Actually, I know who wrote this. She've been a long time listener. I really appreciate your perspective.

Actually, I know who wrote this. She has been a long time listener. Good to see you again.

I love when you end your podcast by saying, you are amazing. Thank you. I like that too. The music starts and you feel very good.

I listen to that when I do the editing and it feels good to me too.

So it's been there for what, almost 12, 13 years now.

And you go on to say, I have noticed that with some friends and family, if I don't reach out to them, I don't hear from them.

But when I do call or text, they'll say things like, where have you been?

Or what's up?

You've been M.I.A.

Which makes me wonder, why didn't they reach out first?

It makes me feel like the effort is one-sided at times.

And I will admit it brings up some of my insecurities about being forgotten, not valued,

etc. I wonder, am I responsible for always reaching out to them? What's the healthy way to look at this?

Should I accept being the one that reaches out more, or is it fair to expect more of balance? I certainly don't

want to bring it up. I don't want to bring it up. I don't want to seem like I am needy. Yeah, I hear you.

...