Hi CL, and thanks again for your encouragement. Had such a lightbulb moment yesterday, I'm thinking I must be on the right track. Was listening to Harriet Lerner's 'Dance of Deception' and one section was like a thunderbolt to me:
I'm paraphrasing here, but the gist of it was that NOT being fully open and honest with our deepest thoughts and feelings in our intimate relationships doesn't just block possibilities for deeper intimacy, healing and resolution. It also blocks the possibility for SELF ACCEPTANCE.
All of the sudden so many things fell into place for me. THAT'S why my IC has been encouraging me so much to continue opening up, experience and share my thoughts and feelings more fully with H, family, friends - whether they respond positively or 'in kind' or not.
Most fundamentally, she's trying to get me to the highest level of self acceptance I can reach. It's there that I'll be have that focus, and be so excited with where my life is going that the external responses just won't affect me so much if they try to divert me from my path. And I think, it's there that the intimacy, healing and resolution will be easier to maintain.
I cannot complain for not receiving from others, that which I've never asked them for.
Hi CL, and thanks again for your encouragement. Had such a lightbulb moment yesterday, I'm thinking I must be on the right track. Was listening to Harriet Lerner's 'Dance of Deception' and one section was like a thunderbolt to me: