Daily, I feel tormented by the notion that if I were JUST less sensitive and more forgiving we could be a happy healthy family. But this, THIS is the lie-the myth of the scapegoat and the messaging of abusers. Intense sensitivity is something, that as an adult, I have learned to understand, accept, and to accommodate without shame. My mental wellness requires that I offer space to anyfuckenbody who judges sensitivity and uses it as an excuse to be unkind–shaming. I do regret that I had nobody to teach me this sooner. Self acceptance, preservation, kindness to myself and to others—these things, they were first introduced to me as a 40 something woman, in recovery. And I forgive myself for not knowing what I didn’t know, before I knew it and I forgive myself for not accepting poor treatment as the price of membership for a club to which I clearly do not belong. And I forgive myself for not being able to forgive before I am able. (more…)
As only a witness to perfectionism, it seems that trying to be perceived as perfect is the exact opposite of this. I dunno. Just saaayin. Naaahm saayin?
Over the past decade, I have become very clear on my lack of desire to surround myself with likeminded people, so much as I do those whom are like-hearted. In fact, it would be terrifying to be surrounded by like-minded others. YIKES In recovery, we call our like-heartedness, unity of purpose, which makes it possible to genuinely want to help and support each other. What I mean– is that quality of life for me, is elevated by those who believe and practice the same static life principles as I do. Greg and I are such an unlikely match by all of my old measures. But we do share a unique like-heartedness.
Greg is naturally more gentle, patient, and willing than I am. (In truth, this could be said of even of the most mature toddler.) Still, Greg and I have highly compatible operating instructions. Nothing about the ways in which either of us operate, emotionally, socially, or morally, are troublesome to the other. We do not pretend, defend, or deny anything–and our greatest sources of laughter, connection, made up words and nick-names, stem from our own foibles, our shared humanity, our desire to learn and expand together(not identically but compatibly). We call ourselves out, so that we can collectively laugh and learn–again, together. We each guard and police only our own behaviors. Okay, sometimes we do monitor and supervise each other, but we do so openly and with apology and laughter. THIS is my first relationship in which defense is not part of the norm…because we each value being connected, more than being right or better than. Most of our jokes are about being right and blaming others for our own misconduct.
Those who value or demand perfection more than they do growth and connection, are toxic to me. I can do better each day, in fact that is my life’s purpose. But– perfection seems undeniably tethered to shame, fear, guilt, power, and often dishonesty. To me, perfection focuses more on appearance of how things are rather than how they actually are(Perfection is not, at all, the same as healthy striving). And the perfection vibe drives, in me, intense spiritual and physical unwellness. (more…)
In recovery, I am reminded consistently that we are never victims. This does not mean that people do not intentionally victimize and persecute others, but that we do have choices about how we respond. All choices may be highly undesirable, none the less, they are choices. Like going to a crummy restaurant where you hate evereeeeything on the menu. Every single thing. (more…)
I do not suck, sometimes my behavior does--but THIS- this alllllwaaaaays sucks. Today is a hard day. I wake up every single day, so painfully aware and deeply affected by…
Oh- this post!!!! What an immense comfort and timely topic. Bullying, oppression, exclusion- behaviors and attitudes: not as narrowly defined as we tend to think. Below is a snippet of…
Lately, I spend every moment possible reading and listening for comfort, from those who have openly navigated troublesome experiences, who possess the inner strength and courage to share--messages of hope…
Unable to articulate all that is on my mind, I have decided to share another magical and medicinal post from Momastery.com I would like to pre-empt this by saying that this…
My recovery is a wildly unpopular choice, extremely agitating to those who need to be feel in control, play God, the judge, the jury, the punisher, the rewarder. I am also…
Daily, I feel tormented by the notion that if I were JUST less sensitive and more forgiving we could be a happy healthy family. But this, THIS is the lie-the myth of the scapegoat and the messaging of abusers. Intense sensitivity is something, that as an adult, I have learned to understand, accept, and to accommodate without shame. My mental wellness requires that I offer space to anyfuckenbody who judges sensitivity and uses it as an excuse to be unkind–shaming. I do regret that I had nobody to teach me this sooner. Self acceptance, preservation, kindness to myself and to others—these things, they were first introduced to me as a 40 something woman, in recovery. And I forgive myself for not knowing what I didn’t know, before I knew it and I forgive myself for not accepting poor treatment as the price of membership for a club to which I clearly do not belong. And I forgive myself for not being able to forgive before I am able. (more…)
