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~ LIGHT & LOVE ~ with Dr Daragh

~ WISDOM, WIT & INSIGHT TO ENLIGHTEN & INSPIRE ~

~ Are You Attracting NEGATIVE Relationships Into Your Life ?? ~
When do you say "enough is enough, I'm done!" in regards to your relationship?
Ok, many of us have this issue with regards to our love relationships and even our friendships. When do you know, it is time to let go? Well, first & foremost you must make sure you are not reacting emotionally, shooting from the hip so to speak. If you find yourself often excusing your lover or friends hurtful behavior, you must look within to see what part of you is attracting this behavior?
I know, you don't always get what you deserve, that is not what I am talking about here. I am talking about a relationship where you are constantly being hurt, either by words or actions. You tend to convince yourself that somehow you deserve this or brought this behavior out in the other person, so you forgive. Only to have this behavior repeated over and over again!
I speak of the importance of forgiveness often, but in this case your consistent forgiveness may actually be a behavior that we could call "enabling" the other's hurtful behavior to continue. Say your lover says he will call, but days go by and he/she hasn't called. So you, call them and ask why didn't you call? They reply with an angry defensive respone, making you feel like you are demanding and needy. Stop right there. Is that happening to you now, in your realtionships?
Now, are you really needy or demanding? NO! Remember, they told you they would call! Somehow, their behavior starts you on a self doubt ride, and you begin to think, maybe I am being too demanding, maybe I should just let it go, this time. Are you letting it go because it is excusable or because you are fearful of losing them in your life if you push your point? Think about this and be honest within yourself and to yourself about this!
Perhaps there is a bit of truth in you being a bit demanding, but there is also truth in them not doing what they said they would in the first place! When they don't call, you become insecure and then appear needy. If they had called you like they said they were going to, you would not have that insecurity surface. So, I say this to you. A few times of forgiveness is acceptable and normal, none of us are perfect. I am not talking about a few occurences, I am talking about a regular pattern of this occurring. You must begin to see your part in this pattern of behavior. Everytime you allow this to be acceptable, you are inviting the same behavior back to be displayed and acted out again. There is such a fine line between accepting down falls of another and actually enabling the negative behaviors & actions of another. Holding people accountable for their choices and behaviors must be put into action if you want to see change. Define the rules, and define your boundaries. What do you find unacceptable, what do you find excusable? Sure we all make mistakes, however the difference is that when we make mistakes, we acknowledge them and take responsibility for them. We make our apologies and ask for forgiveness, and WE BECOME AWARE AND SHOW SINCERE EFFORT TO NOT REPEAT THE BEHAVIOR AGAIN!
 That is a defining behavior you must look for. When someone offends or hurts you, do they accept responsibility, ask for forgiveness and show sincere effort of trying to correct their behaviors? OR do they say they are sorry, only to do the same behavior days later? This is where your boundaries come into play.
Is your relationship one that has you always forgiving what seems to be the same old negative behaviors over & over again? If you answer yes, you must realize you are inviting this behavior to continue by forgiving and allowing it to be repeated with no consequences .
Boundaries are necessary for  your self esteem and your self respect! When we allow others to continously mistreat us, we are an active participant in the situation. We are allowing others to hurt us. We are inviting them to hurt us.
Take a look at your relationships, do you stand up for yourself? Do you have enough self respect to demand respect from others?
Relationships of all kinds have there ups & downs, that is the nature of them.
However, healthy relationships are a two way street of respect, forgiveness, thoughtfulness and love. If you find yourself today realizing you are an enabler in your tumultous realationship. take control. Define your boundaries of acceptable behaviors and unacceptable behaviors. Now define the consequences for the unacceptable ones. Hold your partner/friend accountable. Staying in a relationship that is you always giving positive things like love, trust, compassion, forgivenss, understanding, etc, only to receive negative behaviors in return on a regular basis, this is an unhealthy relationship for you. You are not going to change this persons behaviors by forgiving them, tolerating them and always excusing them. You are only going attract more of the same into your life.
 Everyone of us deserves to be respected and shown love. Accepting less then that is not acceptable! Increase your self esteem, your self love, your self respect, your self worth! Do not allow others to consistantly mistreat you in the name of LOVE or FRIENDSHIP.  You have the power to stop these relationships from being in your life. Do not allow the fear of being without them stop you, because with them treating you this way regularly, you would be better off without them. If you allow fear to control your relationships, you will attract more people like this into your life. Do you ever wonder why you seem to always attract "this type of guy/gal"? If you tolerate these behaviors, you will only attract people who display these behaviors.
If you want someone who will treat you with respect and love, demand it from the people in your life. Treat yourself with respect & love first and foremost. When you do that, you will be sending out the messages & energies that will attract similar energies, similar people. Define how you will allow yourself to be treated and accept nothing less, no matter who the person is. You can not allow others to treat you unacceptably and have self respect, this is impossible!
I know there is a fine line we all walk between forgiveness and enabling, but I do know too that with close examination of the relationship we can uncover which side of the line we really are standing on.
Self love & Self respect are key in having healthy relationships and the keys to attracting quality people into our lives. Do not allow others to consistently offend and hurt you. Stand on the line, and  realize you do not want to be the enabler anymore. You want only happy & healthy relationships in your life. You are in charge of this, only you can allow & invite others into your life. Accept nothing less then respect from anyone you allow into your life.
Light & Love Today & Always :)

Published Thursday, September 06, 2007 4:14 PM by Light and Love
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Comments

# re: ~ Are You Attracting NEGATIVE Relationships Into Your Life ?? ~ @ Thursday, September 06, 2007 3:35 PM

Great blog Dr.  Teaching self respect has been my goal since working with others at the shelter. The lack of self esteem is the primary reason women stay in abusive relationships.  They become traumatized and feel they have no way to change anything in their life.  It is a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder very similar to what some Veterans endure.  This is a very good post and I thank you for sharing it with us.
Rosie

Rosalea

# re: ~ Are You Attracting NEGATIVE Relationships Into Your Life ?? ~ @ Thursday, September 06, 2007 3:50 PM

Who was it that said that no one can treat you badly without your own permission? Eleanor Roosavelt....and I could not agree more. Thank you for sharing this wonderful blog topic.
Joan

DruidsGlenTarot

# re: ~ Are You Attracting NEGATIVE Relationships Into Your Life ?? ~ @ Thursday, September 06, 2007 5:34 PM

Thank you both :)
Eleanor was quite a wise and forward thinking woman :)

Light and Love

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