Re: Are you happy Dhammboy?

I love ya. I know exactly how you feel. It's a terrible feeling not being able to smile. It's a very important thing to do. Smiling makes you happy.

I am very happy now! I am able to kiss, talk face to face for hours with friends and family. I can eat in public without worrying to death! This condition truly kills your self image and social life. I am so glad to have relief!

I want to tell you something. People don't care about your condition even close to the way you do. They love you anyway. They are thinking about themselves, not you. Even if they do notice your lips, it's only for a second and they move their thoughts right along, and it doesn't form an opinion about you for them. I promise. You are way bigger than your lips. You are an entire being with wonderful qualities. Your lips are a tiny part of that. I remember feeling like I was just a big pair of crusty lips, like they were leading the way in everything I did, and my body and personality were following behind. I was just waiting to be judged, if I put myself into social situations at all.

So try to smile anyway. Just be happy, we are going to get through this trial. People have some serious problems out there. Let us consider ourselves lucky that it's just this. Things can always be worse.

Take care,

Martin