12 years ago yesterday I started on a path and had no idea where that would lead-all I knew was that I couldn't continue to do what I was doing and for the first time in my life, I didn't want to die. I was a somewhat functioning alcoholic-meaning I was still employable; and for a long time was able to conceal the daily horror of having to repeat something that wasn't good for me only to give me superficial and temporary relief from my mind's constant chatter. I'm sure that has a label now, but back then I was just considered annoying, bothersome and ungrateful. I never felt comfortable in my skin-everyday felt like the first day of school, nervous, twisted guts, frustrated, and kind of angry that everyone else "knew" how to do life, and were generally ok with everything and everyone-so and I had to fake it or mimic them. I was a false representation of myself; I had no idea who I was and hated myself for the start. I seemed to have a predisposition to be ...
Forgiveness is not saying what they did was right, logical, kind, good, bad or indifferent-I am practicing forgiving (forgive them God for they not know what they do-bless them change me ) them so that I may have peace and not let what they did define me or take from me anymore. BUT-I do not have to engage with them-in fact, unless they are actively seeking God and some self introspection/inventory, and have come to me to offer amends, I want little to nothing to do with them-and that's my authority and right in God and my responsibility to practice real discernment. I never thought that I deserved amends or that I could make a choice about who I allowed in my life...I considered myself as a dumpster...I accepted and allowed all the trash because I saw myself as trash. I no longer see myself as trash. Everyone has the right to exist, and I honor their right to exist, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna hang out with people who have no self...