Five years ago I was a timid woman who had a great family, but was in the midst of a few abusive friendships. Problem was, like with all abusive relationships, I did not recognize the abuse. It was subtle and it came from the places that I should have felt safest (well aside from my husband, who for the record is amazing).
The abuse came from the sisterhood of friendship. And it hurt more than I knew, even at the time. It left me questioning everything that I did or even said, because the simple things were open to criticism, even days later. I have slowly been finding new support. And it has freed me to find myself and to help others in new ways. It has been both an emotionally ragged five years and a five years of powerful personal healing and growth.
I have been thinking about this a great deal lately, because I have been watching my friends (the supportive, non abusive ones) go through some terrible troubles. Some are leaving abusive romantic relationships, some are dealing with terrible work relationships (that can be abusive as well) and some are experiencing betrayal from family members. And I wonder when I sit and listen to the terrible things that they are going through, when did humanity get so selfish that we treat our loved ones so badly, just so we feel better about ourselves? When did it become okay to always put yourself first, even at the expense of children, or siblings, or friends? I understand that the need to lower others to feel good stems from personal problems that one may be to terrified to look at. It saddens me that so many people are too afraid to do the work that helps them grow.
At the beginning of this holiday season, I ask all of you to step back a moment and think outside yourself. Because my true wish is not so much world peace, but individual peace.
Blessings.
K
6 comments:
Absolutely beautiful, you brought years to my eyes and have asked what I never could.
Thank you my dear. I wish you individual peace as well. Recently, I was discussing with my husband the idea that it seems to me that people are running from lessons. Running from them because they are hard. I find it puzzling. Life is hard. Of course, it is hard. That is what makes the wonderful so wonderful. I may not like suffering...can't stand it in fact. Having a case of the 'poor mes' would be so much worse for me though. I have to look at suffering as the chance to learn and grow. Hopefully, a chance to grow and learn how to use my growth to help All. Thanks for posting this. You warm my heart.d
Individual peace is the very best wish..a place from which much can grow.
Lately I've been leaving abusive friendships behind. It's been hard, but something I know is absolutely necessary for longterm happiness and wellbeing. So glad I read this...
And I really love the idea of individual peace. Great post all around :-)
Great post...I am going through an incredibly tough time in my marriage. But I have 3 kids and the situation is more complicated than usual (I am not afraid to leave...I left my 1st husband due to alcoholism and verbal abuse) so I'm not afraid but I am suffering. I'll live and things will get better...God will guide me on what to do. Thank you for making me take a step back and think.
Thank you all for your comments. They have gotten me thinking and I believe that I will have an additional blog post on this topic.
Thank you!
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