Hey, kind people of DU and the Lounge. I have a favor to ask. ***UPDATE (post 30)***

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. Dragonbreathp9d -- strength and coping vibes going out to you.

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I hope you get a chance with that SMART program!!! That's GOT to be a big step up from
where you are now.
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There were a group of young Chicanas here in Tucson who had a GREAT weekly radio
program. Part of their show was spent reading messages from the friends and families of
the local "pintos" (prisoners in the area who had a good chance of listening). One of the
strongest and most-often recurring messages was "Don't let no one get you down!!!"
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I went into the Army at the age of 17. I was a BIGTIME smartass (I bet THAT surprises
a lot of people!!!) who had BIGTIME trouble with authority (not saying YOU do -- but I[i/]
did.) The ONLY way I survived my first year (of 6) was that I adopted the attitude of
"YOU can not beat me into the ground... only I can let that happen."
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It's true. Ultimately, YOU are responsible for how you feel... how you react to adversity.
You sound like a GOOD person who's taken some really HARD knocks recently. It doesn't
sound like ANY of it is insurmountable.
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You're in touch with some good, supportive folks here. That's at least ONE external thing
in your favor.
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Don't let no one get you down, Jonathan!!!
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