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Originally Posted By: edgarb
25yearsmlc -- Thanks again for the post. I had to print it out to make sure I answer it all. Plus, I'd like to have it to refer back to from time to time. Ok, here goes...

I guess the main thing that I am resisting regarding a formal recovery program is the fact that I don't feel like it would be very anonymous. I'm an attorney in a pretty small town with several clients in AA/NA and fear that it would hurt my professional reputation were I to attend meetings. I understand that there is a greater likelihood of staying sober in a more formal program. I've done pretty well so far though, minus a few setbacks in the beginning. I see my counselor tomorrow morning and will discuss this with him again.

See my post before, about that fear--which I also felt back then...


As for the dogs, you're right that I wanted to punish her under the guise of Shocking her or teaching her some sort of a lesson. I wish that I had not done that. However, after speakign to my C we said that since I had promised she could see them any time she wanted that should stand. So I texted her back and told her she could see them. I didn't specifically say that I wouldn't be there, but that's fine with me. When we spoke on Halloween I reminded her that she could see the dogs whenever she liked. I have them because she says she felt it was best for me to keep them and they would help me through all of this. While that's true, it's also true that she has two other dogs and she took those. The first, Twister, she got when she left me the first time. The second, Stormy, she got when she left the second time. Incidentally, the man she got Stormy from is the man she's dating now. Twister and Stormy are both pit bulls. She's very into showing and training pit bulls and so is the new guy. I kind of feel like she knew she wouldn't have time for the two I have so she just left them with me. It's a lot of work to get a dog ready for a show and fall is prime dog show season.

My C is a DB type. He's the one who turned me on to MWD and recommended the DIV REM book.

That's good to hear. But I thought he said something like "it's over" or words to that effect. Maybe I confused you w/someone else. Sorry if so.



I see what you are saying about the anger being a big problem. I let my anger at her having an affair keep us from getting back together. In going back and rereading the chapter on infidelity in DR, I see now how wrong I was and that she needed me to comfort her as much as I needed comfort as well. Not much I can do about that at the present moment I guess.

well as the 12 Steppers are apt to say "Mistakes are not 'tragedies', but God let me learn from them!" So learn from it, and change.


I've said some very hurtful things when i'm angry. That's been a big problem for me in the past. I wanted things done my way (selfishness) and got angry when it didn't occur that way. I also knwo what you are saying about getting fuzzy about me being a jerk. I (like all of us I guess) have a tendency to remember myself as being the "good" one and forgetting all the times that I acted like a hurtful jerk. Of course, she remembers all of those times, I'm sure.

Yes she will recall the bad and you'll get fuzzy about it..."Blacked out!" But it's hugely important that you face these things.

In a real 12 step program that would be part of your recovery, i.e., taking a fearless moral inventory of your wrongs and then making amends and owning them...(I never thought "fearless" was a good word for it since it was fearFILLED for me...but I digress...)


It's a BIG part of our being able to move on, and to forgive and be forgiven, and TO learn how to let go. Seriously...


And yes, I did behave just like her with the OW. I never should have been texting OW. I'd give anything if I hadn't done that. I don't know how to repair that damage now though?

see above about making amends, (even if not to her right now) and LEARNING from the mistakes.



I certainly need to be more honest, kind, calm, genuine and reliable. Do you think that by being in a 12 step program I can better accomplish those goals? I will speak to my C about it once more.


ABSOLUTELY!!!... I could NOT have done it without the program.

Perhaps I am projecting myself too much onto you b/c my experience was SUCH A big deal in my life. Truly had to do it their way & trust their process.


But see, I was pregnant when I had to get off pain killers. If not for the baby, who knows what I'd have done, or if ever?

I was hospitalized in a medically supervised manner for detox for the baby, and honestly, it was the most dizzying of experiences.

There were court ordered addicts there, criminals (could have been former clients), a lot of mentally ill, and some very sad broken people there.

I was in a "place" with some really bad wacky people...AND also some great but troubled people, including a few doctors too...quite the variety. Then I did the 90 meetings in 90 days. I shopped for the right group b/c of issues I share with you about the profession, plus sometimes at a group there were too few English speakers for me to understand, OR I'd feel too alienated, and it was tempting to give up and quit b/c "hey, I don't have much in common with THOSE people (the ones who had lost it all and were therefore easy to judge, as "losers")...

but also I eventually found a woman's only group b/c often there are a few men at some meetings, who are on the prowl for women!--God what a huge turn off when you are already in pain and worried that you'll be recognzied...

AND it distracts from real recovery (I wasn't showing at the time and I got hit on far too often for me to be honest and forthcoming and NOT distracted by feeling awkward).

Then I found a "professional's group" which was mainly nurses, Ls and teachers and that was GREAT for me. You'll find something like that for lawyers, engineers, doctors, etc. Find the right group. Don't stop til you do. It MAY mean driving 30 minutes or not being able to make a meeting every day. Some days I did NOT FEEL like going. But I never once regretted going. Even the weird "loser" meetings (=how I saw it back then)

always, I heard at least one thing I needed to hear.

Anyhow, the detox and follow up was the hardest, most physically unpleasant, saddest, funniest, AND spiritually most enlightening experience I had ever had...life changing...humbling in a profound way, and empowering too. Hard to explain...

I have never felt calm, more trusting in God, or the universe, or more grateful, even though I was terrified of what was coming. (Would the child be alright? Would my m survive? Would I lose my lic or career? So many fears!

I really learned for the first time in my life what "turning it over to God" meant...& even if you are not a believer,

the concept of letting go of what we cannot control, is extremely liberating.

Do what you CAN do, and then let it go...do your TRUE BEST and then, leave the results up to HIM...

THIS WAS A GIFT TO ME...a life time gift.

Well I Guess I've said enough? But remember, I don't get a commission! But I could probably do a commercial...



I think that's a good idea to get some GAL activities that involve people. I'm hoping the Habitat can do that. I like the community theater idea as well but I'm certainly no actor. Maybe I could do something behind the scenes?


YES! HELLO?? OMG YES...and if you have ever been in court, YOU HAVE ACTED...out of my first acting class, of 13, 5 were lawyers...

I said "but she works at..." because that's the way she sees it. She once worked at our vet's office and she was happy there. She constantly said she wanted to make more money and so I helped her to get the job at the community college. She hated it from the beginning and felt that I pressured her into taking it. There is probably some truth to that.

My work is going ok but I don't know that I'm "fulfilled". I'm really starting to dislike the practice of law through all of this. I'm successful at it and have a good client base and am on the partnership track at my firm. I really couldn't ask for much more, but something seems to be missing. I guess typing it out makes me realize what I've internalized for some time and maybe I will speak to my C about that as well.

Well if you are succeeding at it, you are better off than most Ls these days. IF you are not happy in it, know that there are tons of other areas of law that exist and you do not have to leave the whole profession to find your bliss...

AND please, take my advice on this one-- Find your bliss before you jump ship, b/c the job market for us right now is NOT a great one.



My parents wish I'd just quit wanting to get back together with my wife. My mom says "If she wanted to talk to you , she would" and to just get over it and move on. I think they are just tired of seeing me hurt so much. My W's mother probably feels the same way.

Hey it's human nature. And the books talk about it too. Others want us to move on and not repeat ourselves too much and in their defense, they want us to be happy so all they can think of is CHANGE people...change the R's...not change US b/c maybe that seems harder to do, or they love us and think the person hurting us must do all the changing.

I'm a mother of a 25 y/o man. His heart has been broken twice. The first girl who did it, I KNEW WOULD...just saying, my intution was weirdly accurate with her. The second one I had not met yet, but she is very ambitious and felt now was a "bad time to fall in love" etc.

So I want my son to move on. And I dont' even know HER!!


She dislikes me at the moment or at least she did over the dog thing. My W has told me in the past that her family would think she was crazy if we got back together.

Then you need to do the math and possibly make amends to them, IF applicable.

The "math" is this:

consistent change + sufficient time = change that can be believed.


I wish I had worked on a relationship with her family but I did not and it didn't concern me at the time. I know now that was wrong and her family are nice people and I should have done more to have a relationship with them. My W didn't do much to have a relationship with my parents either.


Why? What possible reason for this existed? And your wife did the same thing, why? To get even? People can SAY "you are not marrying the family" but they are begging for trouble.

Everyone I know who has been successfully married,

makes HUGE efforts to get along with inlaws. It's what you do.

Were you two the first real r's you each had had?


I guess I thought if she had seen me on her way to work the other day she might have started to miss me and then would text me as a result. That is crazy I guess.

I'm still not sure I got to everything in your post, but hopefully I got to most everything. Thanks again so much for your advice and insight. I like how on this site it seems that posts and responses are ready when I get up in the morning lol. it really gives me something to look forward to and starts my day out on a positive note. Thanks!


You are welcome. Hang in there.

Life IS getting better for you-I hope you know that.


M: 57 H: 60
M: 35 yrs
S30,D28,D19
H off to Alaska 2006
Recon 7/07- 8/08
*2016*
X = "ALASKA 2.0"
GROUND HOG DAY
I File D 10/16
OW
DIV 2/26/2018
X marries OW 5/2016

= CLOSURE 4 ME
Embrace the Change
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Ok, a bit of an interesting development today. The ex wife texted me and said "hi! how are you you? hope all is going well"

I about fell out of my chair lol. Anyway, I responded and said hello there, I'm doing very well thanks for asking. How are you?

No response as of yet, but I was very excited by this, so I had to share. Gonna DB if she keeps talking. smile

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Originally Posted By: edgarb
Ok, a bit of an interesting development today. The ex wife texted me and said "hi! how are you you? hope all is going well"

I about fell out of my chair lol. Anyway, I responded and said hello there, I'm doing very well thanks for asking. How are you?

No response as of yet, but I was very excited by this, so I had to share. Gonna DB if she keeps talking. smile



You bet you'll DB!!

This is an opportunity to show your GAL and that you are changing...

YOU must be the one to end the conversation b/c you have places to go or someone to meet, so don't forget that and don't prolong the conversation=neediness and clinging and she'll want to flee that.

If she asks you what you are up to, be UPBEAT and give at least 2 specifics oF GAL...

you'll NEED to say THE GAL stuff, even if you are not literally signed up yet, say you are "about to join/go or enroll in..." to a class or seminar or crew work for a show--or joined a club, travelled or are going to travel to a cool new place, etc...=

SHOW CHANGE IN YOUR ACTIVITIES=INTERESTING PERSON WHO IS EVOLVING,

and or start emanating that you are...just so "Busy going to NEW exciting places, meeting NEW fun people and doing cool NEW activities!"--

(hey, that can by your mantra AND your voice message when people call.... cool ) but it all means CHANGE IN YOU...

and IF you go to some AA meetings ( drive to find one in the town next to you if need be) I would share that too.

I think you underestimate the value of, AND difference in, her knowing AND being able to say to her parents,

"Oh, h is going to AA now, and has been sober for 2 months"

versus, "h stopped drinking 2 months ago"....but either way, that information is vital. For me, that's what I'd FIRST want to hear, but I don't know your wife.

Does she SAY you are an alcoholic? If so, it's crucial that gets mentioned, along with the other FUN stuff...


remember, YOU be the one to end the conversation.

Be happy she called, glad she's doing well

(IF she is doing well, BUT if she is not doing well, THEN LISTEN, and "gather intel" like a reconnaisance mission. Don't just try to "FIX IT"

b/c that makes it look like you want the topic to change now, b/c after all, you took care of it w/your brilliant suggestion about fixing it!

A lot of men do this and it shuts down the person in pain, like "why are you still sad? I just told you what to do..."

And then the topic reverts back to them/you...see my point? Just listen, if she's down---Otherwise, assume she'll be upbeat and is just checking in.
)
So you have to use your brief time to listen to her AND yet be Upbeat PMA and GAL, (do a 180 here, whatever that is, however you two usually communicate, do it differently)

and then you be the one who is "so glad she called BUT has to go"

and if she somehow beats you to the punch, you agree that you better let her go as you have to "meet someone but it was nice talking to you..."

and make NO plans or request for a promise of future contact. Just be like a normal happy busy friend, and she'll call again...


M: 57 H: 60
M: 35 yrs
S30,D28,D19
H off to Alaska 2006
Recon 7/07- 8/08
*2016*
X = "ALASKA 2.0"
GROUND HOG DAY
I File D 10/16
OW
DIV 2/26/2018
X marries OW 5/2016

= CLOSURE 4 ME
Embrace the Change
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 120
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edgarb Offline OP
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Thanks for the advice! We texted for a few hours. I didn't really give much info about what I had been up to based on some earlier posts I'd read which said be mysterious. I've got some new GAL things to tell her about though. She was being super nice and she asked if she could come get a dog and take her out for the day tomorrow. I ended the conversation just by saying "You're welcome. Good night" to which she replied "nite :)" I got the feeling she might be kind of testing the waters to see if i was still mad or whatever. Anyway, I just answered the questions she asked and asked her some, not about what she had been doing, but how her family was, how school was going, etc. I think it went really well.

So....quick question. She's coming in the morning to get one of our dogs. I'm not going to be here until probably a little before noon so I told her I'd just leave a key. I should see her when she brings the dog back in the afternoon. I thought it best to not be here both times, plus I already had plans. Kind of like saying, I've got plans and I'm not going to alter them for you. I told her that I'd be here in the afternoon but would leave if she'd prefer it that way. She said no need to do that and gave a smiley face. Anyway, should I give up my plans (going to buy hunting clothes, a new GAL activity) and be here, or just let her wonder where I am? I SHOULD see her in the afternoon but there's no guarantee I guess.

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Well, she was late coming over, so I was actually here when she got here. I was upbeat, smiling and happy to see her. I didn't ask any questions about what she's been up to other than just a general "how ya been doing" type stuff. I shared some of my GAL activities and she was surprised. Anyway, she took one of our dogs and went to a park. She sent me a few pictures and then said thanks for letting her take the dog. I said you're welcome and that she could take either or both of them anytime she wanted. Then she sent me these two texts right in a row:

"ok thank you. cuz this is really very hard..."

"thanks, she (our dog) has been very comforting to me..."

I asked if everything was ok and told her that i understood if i wasn't the person she wanted to talk to if something was wrong but I was here to listen if needed.

I haven't heard back yet but that's very interesting. Of course, it could be that she is moving to Mississippi with the other guy or something like that. I don't know if she's going to talk about it with me or not but I've made myself available to listen. When she comes back I plan to ask again (unless she's said she doesn't want to talk about it or something) if everything is ok and if she says yes or she doesn't want to talk about it, then just let it go at that and be my happy old self. If she wants to talk, I'm going to listen and not try and fix it. Just be sensitive and caring.

Lol, it helped to type out my game plan even if no one responds before she comes back just so I can assure myself of what I'm going to do. Thanks for everything guys and I'll let you know how it goes.

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Edgar,

You already told her once that you'd be there to listen if she wanted to talk. She knows that. Don't ask her again as she may feel pressured.

Just continue to be your happy self. You're doing well.

Just my .02

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edgarb Offline OP
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seeking answers,

Thanks for the advice. I didn't say anything else about it when she came back. Ex said a few times she had been sad b/c she couldn't have her dogs with her all the time. We had some nice conversation and then I said I had to leave to go to my parents house to watch a football game. I could tell that my ex wife really wanted to stay a bit more, but I felt it best to end the visit before she ended it on her terms. Anyway, later in the night she texted me a few times, bringing up some old jokes we used to share. Unfortunately, I fell asleep before we could talk too much but it's clear I was on her mind I guess. Anyway, she had the last text (b/c I fell asleep) so I'm guessing just let it play out and see if she talks to me again soon? She was mentioning vague plans about doing things in the future so I'm thinking that's good. I of course didn't commit to anything or say anything other than "that sounds fun" or something like that. Anyway, thanks again for the help!

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Edgarb, just getting caught up on your sitch- you're making some great progress on YOU, you should feel really good about that. Your ex making contact with you that way could mean lots of things... I know its difficult not to obsess about the positives. Just try to remember the things you are doing now are to make you a better person, and if by becoming a better person you salvage your relationship, bonus! Either way, you're going to be ok.

Hang in there (((())))


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You are doing great! She is making contact with you and you are not pursuing. How you handle yourself (with her pursuit)will be critical in the R. Here's why.....it's very hard not to get excited over her contacting you. Naturally, you want her to do even more contacting, right?

There's kind of a thin line here. You don't want to be cold or mean toward her, but also she needs to see that she made this decision to leave. She needs to see that you have not been destroyed by her leaving, and that you are picking up your life and going on. Now, she's feeling some of the fall-out of her decision to leave, and it's not as fun as she thought it would be.

Your part is to allow her to feel the loneliness and pain due to her decision. Don't try to protect her from herself. Don't attend her pity parties. Don't you think it's pretty ironic that she tells you that "this is so hard"? I don't know that I agree with telling her you will be there to listen anytime she needs. JMHO, but for now, I don't think you should take her bait and even ask if everything is okay. Take the quotation below for an example.

Quote:
I asked if everything was ok and told her that i understood if i wasn't the person she wanted to talk to if something was wrong but I was here to listen if needed.


This statement (even though it shows compassion) puts yourself down. Next time that she starts hinting about being lonesome or things are hard.......just don't reply to that statement. Give it several moments. If she continues, fine.....if not, that's fine too. But what are you going to do, console her for breaking up the M and leaving you? I don't think so!

Give yourself several scenarios that she may present. Practice how to handle it. I'm serious.

There is coming a time (and may be very soon) that she's going to show up at your door and she's going to give you the sex test. She'll manage to fall into your arms, probably crying, and then one thing leads to another. I want you to remember what I'm going to tell you. She's going to lead you into having sex with her, and then she'll be gone. Do not fall for it! This happens all the time, and it's nothing more than her seeing if she can still make you crumble by having sex. Then, the challenge will be over and she's lost interest once again.


It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!
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Thought I'd try some of 25's color emphasis. laugh


It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!
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