HomePatternsShopEtsyTutorials

July 13, 2011

On My Journey


So this journey has begun. I discovered in my book on "boundaries" that boundaries are like fences. Fences identify our boundary lines, this is my property , I take care of it, manage it and am responsible for it. However, when you grow up in a home where your boundary lines are repeatedly crossed, not respected or protected by those you love, you have trouble as you get older identifying where those personal "boundaries" or fence line begin and end and where to draw the line with others.
I grew up in a home where my brother was allowed to beat on me, abuse my car, fling plates at me and put my head through a wall. I still suffer from that physical damage today. (Yeah, this is hard to discuss) My brother was an alcoholic and drug abuser. He beat on me to make himself feel better. So as you can see he did not respect my fence, he marched right through it. The worst of it yet was my parents never held him accountable for that abuse and so even to this day after he has supposedly been with AA for years, he has never "made amends" with any of us as he is supposed to do. He doesn't even realize that he has offended, hurt and abused his own family, because he was never shown true boundaries from those who raised him. Because of those blurred boundaries, my brothers and I suffer and I made the choice to marry an alcoholic. Where is my fence line???
All fences need to have gates. The gates are to let those who truly love us in and keep the bad and not so good people out. I am learning to identify who and what they are, it is a slow process. Years of keeping the bad people in and not knowing who the good people really are to let in, will take time to correct. One of the things I am learning to identify, is that little voice in my head that tells me "RED FLAG" don't touch that!!!! Don't go there, or don't be apart of it, don't let them in. It also tells me there are good, kind, loving and trustworthy,people. I'm learning to listen to that voice. It takes practice and good listening skills. LOL! Will be working on that for awhile I"m afraid.

Lastly, I'm discovering that I too am responsible for my choices and that I don't have to do anything anybody else trys to make me do....really. I don't!!! Do you ever do this: you have something you really need to do, but the person your with, can't seem to get you home on time, they have to go here and there and in the meantime, you have asked them to please take you home. They don't, they just keep doing what they want, don't mean to make you late but just one more stop, Ok?!? So what could I have done different. Well I don't like to be yelled at so I just suffer in silence, or I say this "take me home NOW!!! I have asked you repeatedly and you are not respecting my needs as well. If you can't respect what I need then pull over and get me a cab, I HAVE TO GO HOME NOW!!!! Which will get their attention and results? I usually do the first choice. If I do the first choice, I get so mad and fume for days, nothing gets resolved and that person does it again and again and again. I didn't set the boundaries with that person. That really happened to me. If nothing else, I should have never stepped foot in her car again and told her why I won't.

Fear drives me, but I believe through this journey of self discovery and God's guidance, I will truly learn to set boundaries. I just put the first fence post in the ground today. See ya at the next fence post.

God bless! Cathy

Reference: "Boundaries" by: Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

5 comments:

Cabin Fever Primitives said...

Cathy, I will make this brief because the hurt still goes deep. I too walked in your shoes, lived behind locked doors and closed fence gates. My father was an alcoholic and my first husband was also a very abusive alcoholic. Life was not good. One day I woke up and said enough, I have to take care of myself and my two children, there has to be something better than this. I have never regretted the day I walked away, closed that door and opened a new chapter. I have been blessed with another chance at life. The sweetest, most loving man came into my life. He has treated me with respect, kindness and above all, Love. I wish these Blessings for you. They will come because we will all pray for you and our prayers will be answered. You are not alone Cathy, it takes courage and strength, you have taken the first step, continue down the path, it will lead you to sunshine.
Connie

Ragamuffin Gal said...

Dear Cathy ~
Your honesty and transparency is so genuine and heart felt. I marvel at how healthy you sound through all of this although it sounds that it has been quite a process. I am sending you prayers of blessing and strength and promise of a friend through out your journey! Blessings ~ Katie

Barb said...

Hi Cathy,
Having never been through any of this type of abuse my heart goes out to you. It sounds as though you are embarking on a great, new and wonderful journey. One day at a time and my thoughts are with you.
Barb

Sugar Mountain Mercantile said...

Cathy,
You seem to have a real handle on how to deal with your situation in life. We can't change the past but we can control our future, and it looks as though that's exactly what you are doing. My best wishes go out to you as you travel this new path in your life.
hugs,
Debbie

Firecracker Kid said...

Prayers for your strength and wellness through your transition. Oh, and lots of hugs!
Hugs~Carol

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...