tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239140084937897595.post7680901815576237211..comments2023-10-19T10:26:30.108-04:00Comments on Yin and Yang: Making Friends With OurselvesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239140084937897595.post-82071009502819143992012-10-01T16:25:38.780-04:002012-10-01T16:25:38.780-04:00Hi Kate,
I received your package in the mail! You ...Hi Kate,<br />I received your package in the mail! You are a kind friend. I hope you are doing well. This is an interesting and poignant post.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Jenjendaisybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10441853127091556608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239140084937897595.post-15687652670711319002012-09-29T05:42:48.374-04:002012-09-29T05:42:48.374-04:00Hi Kate!
Its amazing how far I've come in acc...Hi Kate!<br /><br />Its amazing how far I've come in accepting myself since high school, yet how far I still have to go. Lovingkindness is a concept that is so healing, and I think so essential to have as a basic building block in how to relate toward the world. First things have to be right within, then things can be right outside.<br /><br />I've been having some family problems, my mother has said some horrible untrue things against my dear husband. Apparently while we vacationed at her home some liquor was stolen from her garage, and she decided that my husband took it all, drank it all, and is a closet alcoholic!<br /><br />I wrote my mother a letter describing how an accusation of alcoholism against my husband was not possible (I know him too well, he couldn't hide it, was with him every moment of the vacation, that amount of liquor would make him falling down drunk, we have a very trusting marriage, he is in good mental health, we don't keep liquor in the house at all and he only drinks at restaurants and parties) but nothing would deter her opinion. She said she could love me as mentally ill and she could love my husband as an alcoholic.<br /><br />At first I was mad. I told her she should be ashamed to think something so mean against a man who has been so kind to her. I really did yell over the phone, when I realized she was undeterred in her opinion, "you should be ashamed". I mean, it has occurred to me in the past that my husband treats my mother better than her own children, he is such an angel and unselfish. But slowly I realized that my mother is a little sick. Paranoid. And I realized that life has not been kind to her. She has her blessings, but she has too deep traumas, the first being a childhood spent as a migrant refugee in Nazi Germany.<br /><br />My mom, I think, cannot accept that my husband is essentially good and healthy. She thinks that there must be some hidden darkness or sickness in him because it has been her experience that most people are like this.<br /><br />So really the truth is sad. My mom has never had a good thing last and turn out well. Not really. When I realized what probably was her unconscious motivation for needing to think my husband an alcoholic I had compassion towards her. <br /><br />So I'm going to be kind and loving toward my mother and forgive what she thinks against my husband. It was a long emotional journey to get to this place of acceptance, but oh, it feels so comfortable and good to embrace rather than reject, to be calm rather than to be angry.<br /><br />As a matter-of-fact I plan to call my mother today and just friendly chat about my cat's adventures. It should be some good entertainment for her. <br /><br />I know that deep in our hearts, mother and daughter need each other. And too, the lessons of Buddha and Jesus are so very valuable. I need to wake up and listen!<br /><br />All my love,<br />KarenKaren May Sorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436905322393073250noreply@blogger.com