Yep, i agree - the pain has to be there, notieable in body and mind for me to consider learning where i've gone astray.

it generally takes a lot more than making one (mistake) before the lesson sinks in.

I've opened my heart to an embarrassing number of girls who weren’t truly available, and just blamed them and moved on, learning nothing.

This time there was collateral damage to a friend and my body was crying out long before I 'saw sense'. This path i cannot walk down again, and really, i had massive reasons not to, as did she.

It sounds so simple, avoid the ones still connected in their heart to others. They have to be honest of course, amd some weren't, but I had a pretty clear view this time, and still...

I still needed another lesson I guess. And I'm sure I'll be grateful in the future to the girl i always told was a great teacher.

There's lots left to uncover and reassess, and at the end i not only want to be walking a different path, but doing so with confidence and a bag full of self-worth - cause there will be tests, always.

Thank you.