Just thought I'd share something that happened to me today.

[lightningandsnow]

Remember how I posted something about someone saying something to me that was so amazing that I actually got choked up?

Well, here's what happened.

I'm a cutter, but I'm trying to quit. I have a friend, who's about 30 years old and is really a mentor to me, who's one of the only people (outside of the interent) who knows I cut, and she's really supportive and concerned about me.

Anyways, I was telling her (over e-mail, she's in Thailand right now) about this thing I heard of called "The Butterfly Project. It's for self-harmers who are trying to quit, and what you do is you draw a butterfly on yourself, with a sharpie or whatever, and name it after someone who cares about you and wants you to get better. I named mine after my friend. If you can go without cutting until the butterfly naturally fades away, your butterfly lives, but if you cut before it fades away, you've killed your butterfly.

When I told her I was naming my butterfly after her, here's what she said:

"Sweetie, you named your butterfly after me? Oh man! When you look at it think about the fact that I want you to be nice to you. At least as nice as you'd be to a butterfly that accidentally flew into your room."

I figured I'd pass that mantra on to all of you. Be nice to yourselves, OK?

[malta blue]

1. That is beautiful AspieGrrl.

Thank you for sharing the story.

Be good to yourself too, okay? :hug::hug:

[qnr]

2. Thank you. Valuable thoughts n/t

[seemunkee]

3. Be good to yourself

Please, you deserve it.
:hug:

[ThomCat]

4. Very cool.

I hope that butterfly lives, and many generations of butterflies after this one. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear Aspiegrrl...

I wasn't aware of this fact about you, and I want to tell you it takes a lot of courage to reveal such a personal thing here...

Your story is wonderful...

I am good to myself, believe me...

You be good to yourself, too, OK?

You matter to me, and to so many...:hug:

[lightningandsnow]

8. That you so much!

You matter to me a lot too. You are one of the nicest people I've ever "met" (even though I haven't really met you...)

:hug:

[Spacemom]

6. Take care of that butterfly!

It is possible to stop. I was a cutter too. Mostly due to a seriously dysfunctional childhood. I'm 36 now and haven't cut in over 17 years. Be gentle with yourself, YOU are the butterfly. :hug:

[lightningandsnow]

7. ...

:hug:

[demmiblue]

9. Sometimes the most compassionate people in the world...

are not compassionate towards themselves.

Thanks for posting this... it serves as a great reminder to take the time to nurture ourselves!

Take care! :hug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. take care of your butterfly dear and pm me if you ever need to vent

a lot of people i love have been cutters. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. That's cool! We never though t of doing anything like that with my brother.

[Longhorn]

12. What a wonderful idea!

And a wonderful friend, too. My best to you and your butterfly! :hug:

[lightningandsnow]

14. Aww... thank you.

Hope you're doing OK as well. How are things?

:hug:

[Longhorn]

17. I'm doing okay.

Just learning to be patient after all these years. Thanks for asking! :hug:

[suninvited]

13. The butterfly project sounds great!

I had no idea about cutting (maybe I had heard of it, but didnt realize how common it was) until I watched the movie 'My First Mister' and looked up cutting.

I wish you great success in keeping this and many other butterflys alive.

[zingaro]

15. oh that's beautiful

A wonderful thought

[khashka]

16. That's wonderful!

She's there for you, girl! Never forget that.

I used to be a cutter, I suppose I still am in a way. But it's been more than 20 years since I did it.

I think you eventually grow out of it. Which is not carte blanche to keep doing it!


Just remember when the need comes, that you have a friend who wants better for you than that....

Khash.

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. ...

:hug: :hug: :hug:

What a very strong person you are. Take care...

[lightningandsnow]

19. You take care as well.

You're a strong person too. Hang in there.

:hug: back.