Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 8, 2002
I am a 26-year-old escort, in the business on and off since I was 14. I have a tendency to get involved in very bad relationships.
The men I go out with are usually abusive with substance abuse problems, and generally I end up supporting them. I don't have many friends because it seems people only deal with me because they are trying to use me.
I've worked regular jobs, attended some college, and also got my real estate license. I wasn't happy being "square" and am not happy now, but I can't afford to stop escorting or I will lose everything. Happiness never lasts long for me. I am looking for something in life to keep me going, and the only thing that's doing it is my massive stack of bills.
Recently I got involved with a man who treats me better than anyone has in a long time. For the first time ever, the feeling is mutual. He makes me smile, and I don't believe he would ever abuse me. We want to settle down and even have kids.
The problem is he is on parole and is supposed to turn himself in soon to do about two years. That's a long time to wait, and I'm tired of my life being on hold. We have considered the option of him not turning himself in, but then I will be forced to keep escorting to support us.
Either he goes to prison and I'll be alone, or we're together and I support him. And what if I get sick of him being so dependent on me? Where will he go? I want the house with the white picket fence and kids, but how can I get them with me being an escort and him on the way to the big house?
Maureen
Maureen, Thoreau said, "What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen."
If you are escorting for money, you should have huge savings and be living well. But you are in debt, using money to buy moments of happiness. You're treating yourself like devalued currency and acting as if you are not worth a good man.
Your boyfriend promises things he can never give you, and that is simply another form of abuse. Once you feel you are a person of value, you will feel equal to a man of value, a man who truly cares for you and is self-supporting.
Within you is a dream, and the way to achieve that dream is by breaking the cycle. You must take the initial steps to change, the steps when reward seems so distant you fear you will never get there. Good things take effort. If they didn't, everyone would have them.
Pay off your bills so you aren't trapped by debt. Then think about the life you need to be living to attract the right man. Think about what you always wanted to be, and what it will take to get there. Your dream is worth working for. With patience and courage, it can happen.
Wayne & Tamara
Perspective
A few weeks ago I was around some young women friends of mine, and they were talking about guys and the particular qualities they should have. One girl said a guy didn't have to be hot, but she had to think he was cute or adorable.
Another girl said she notices the little things most. She said her boyfriend calls her every night just to say goodnight. I was wondering what "little things" girls between 16 and 20 would notice.
Aaron
Aaron, for one girl, a phone call may be "sweet." To another, it might be taken as checking up. Since you can't read minds, the safest route is to be yourself.
Tamara
About The Author
Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.
Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.
I have an unexpected relationship problem. It's hard to believe... Read More
Recently my dad visited me in Victoria, BC. He is... Read More
It is hard to capture the synchronicity of this next... Read More
You, my friend, are going to die.What? What kind of... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 1,... Read More
Just imagine how it would feel to be successful...., to... Read More
Synchronicity: the coincidence of events that seem related but are... Read More
Here are some thoughts for finding and experiencing joy in... Read More
How can we enjoy a better lifestyle?'Easy' I hear you... Read More
As I write this Southern California has just ended its... Read More
Why am I here?If you haven't already asked this question,... Read More
You're a remarkable person. But, you knew that already. Still,... Read More
Chances are you have seen some type of disturbance in... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 7,... Read More
It goes without question that any business intending to thrive... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 28,... Read More
As we progress into the year, it is necessary for... Read More
The first thing that an aspiring leader must realize is... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 19,... Read More
My eldest son phoned me the other night to let... Read More
I have a standing interview every Monday morning on a... Read More
Steps to Financial Freedom, roadmap to financial freedom, achieve financial... Read More
Treasures of a lifetime...At the end of your life will... Read More
Whether it's a holiday, anniversary, birthday or a time in... Read More
In Berlin a restaurant opens for anorexics and in Buffalo... Read More
Have you ever thought of what it would take to... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 24,... Read More
Why are we trying so hard? It is like we... Read More
Many of us seek consolation in the words of Frank... Read More
We have given a lot of thought, paid an indecent... Read More
If there is one thing that I believe with all... Read More
In Corrogue I count my Blessings.These are numerous. There is... Read More
I'm currently listening to The Secrets of the Power of... Read More
Two-year-old Owen goes to speech therapy twice a week. The... Read More
Life is about constant, predictable patterns of change. For the... Read More
Are you a listener or a writer type of learner?President... Read More
When you have your dream clear in your mind and... Read More
"I would like to pray more. But ... how to... Read More
This week is Part Four of our five part series... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 17,... Read More
More things I've noticed along the way:* Our son's birthday... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 1,... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for the time to smell the... Read More
I love to watch people at airports, malls and even... Read More
For many people, life has become as dull and despairing... Read More
In old buildings there was a boiler room where men... Read More
I stepped up to the edge and looked down. I... Read More
At seventeen years old, I was a brat. A mixture... Read More
Even if you are not a cat person, bear with... Read More
Some people live in and talk about the past so... Read More
The problem with this is that fantasies usually don't come... Read More
Dear Candace,I am having trouble letting go of an over... Read More
Those of you, who can fathom yourselves welcoming and enjoying... Read More
Too many of us are too hard on ourselves, always... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 12,... Read More
The direction of our lives is determined by the choices... Read More
"Welcome to Canada," Ken shouted to me over the roar... Read More
Judge not, lest ye be judged. ?Matthew 7:1The call was... Read More
Our deepest fear us not that we are inadequate. Our... Read More
Most of us believe that our happiness and security are... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 24,... Read More
As year 2004 winds up and professionals and corporate bodies... Read More
It was one of those once-in-a-life-time moments. The entire World... Read More
Many of us invest quality time and energy into our... Read More
As I sat down to write this article, I was... Read More
Everyone knows that a positive attitude is key to the... Read More
Inspirational |