Like this:

Last week I checked my work e-mail from home through Yahoo!, and this article caught my eye.

Under Yahoo!’s lifestyles website “Shine,” Brett Blumenthal, founder of Sheer Balance (a go-to wellness and health site laden with networking and resources) expands upon 8 personality types who are “toxic to our happiness, our mental 0utlook, our self esteem and our lives.” Ms. Blumenthal even relays that “they can suck the life out of us and shorten our lifespan.”

Ouch.

Perhaps I’m off base here, but gosh, these tips are not going to help me out, or I’ll be avoiding my husband, my closest friends and disowning myself! I’ve been — at times — all of these “toxic personality” types. I’ve silently judged my best friends; I’ve acted out in narcissism toward my husband.

I want to ask Ms. Blumenthal this: If I’m to love myself and protect my self esteem and self worth, how is it that I can avoid others avoiding me when they realize that I’m “that girl” who’s going to take minutes away from their lives quicker than picking up a cigarette habit?

The truth is: I am but dust!

The God of the universe is above and beyond in holiness (set-apartness) compared to my toxicity.

And he did something about it! While I was enraptured with myself, worshipping creation and not the Creator, Christ died. For me. For you.

And death didn’t defeat him! God raised him from the dead, so we too may live a new life. Not bound by our performance, or by the pH level of our toxic nature on a day when I am a “Dream-Killing Keith.”

And all we have to do? Say “Yes” to the free gift. The gift in full — grace in full from God, out for you — and out for me.

Your life, oh Never-Enough Nellie, is not in vain. Nor are your deep-down desires to get close to people, even when every part of you wants to avoid them altogether.

Ms. Blumenthal, I agree: Life is short. People are messy.

But I am too. And really, if I met you, I’d probably want you to like me, despite my flaws.

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