September 2, 2007

Look How Far You've Come

Do you deal with your problems or do you deny them? It’s much easier and less painful to deny them. If you deal with your problems it will involve a lot of soul searching and the journey to healing will include pain. The thought of that pain is enough to scare some people into denial. If they don’t think about it then it won’t hurt so much.

Those who decide to take the journey to a peaceful place will suffer as they drudge through the muck and the mire. Often, while moving forward, there will be times when they find themselves stumbling and perhaps even sliding backwards. Yet they continue because they want that peace that awaits them on the other end of the journey.

It can take weeks, months, even years depending on the severity of the problem. One day they wake up and realize the journey has come to an end. They feel lighter, as if a heavy weight has been lifted from their shoulders. They no longer smile to hide the tears; they smile because they feel a true inner happiness. Perseverance has paid off. All of the tears, pain and sleepless nights are now but a distant memory. Joy has taken the place of the pain.

It’s a sense of satisfaction, a sense of pride in knowing how far you’ve come.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Somes families choose to ignore problems and each other. There is zero communication and no forgiveness to be given. Many years can pass by, and relationships keep deteriorating. Counseling is out of the question, so the only thing to do is keep praying and try not to become bitter as the years go by.

Pam Dyson, MA, LPC, RPT said...

You hit on something very important and that is to not let bitterness overcome you.

We can't change others but we can change ourselves and the way we respond to them.

Anonymous said...

I really struggle with not becoming bitter. I don't know how to react when I meet them face to face. Act like nothing is wrong? Ignore them? Keep it simple but friendly? The latter it probably the best reaction.

Pam Dyson, MA, LPC, RPT said...

Which of those reactions have you tried? Which one made you feel better about the interaction after it was over? That will be your best way to react.