Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts

Monday, February 18, 2013

Narcissism - Love doesn't feel like this........

If you've been following my Blogs then you know my long battling relationship with S has been so rocky.  Well after my "I'm not going back / not putting myself through this anymore" crusade at the beginning of the year I found myself once again caught in the spiders web.......

We have been going through this for over a year now and I could not understand the why....... I got the "You deserve better", "It's him not you", "You need to leave him alone" speeches.  I got all of that but what I couldn't understand was why it was so hard for me to do exactly that - break away.  Well we had a final blow up last Friday.  I had just been with him on Tuesday, he was visiting me daily, but by Friday he was done with me.  I had embarrassed myself thinking he was messing around with a young lady and confronted them in which she wholeheartedly denied and was actually the girlfriend to his friend.  I did not feel bad, this is the monster that has been created after so many lies and deceit and yes cheating.  I would later find out that I wasn't too off for by going to his home I did find and see there was actually someone else.  While standing in the driveway the many that was so in love with me begin to tell me that he called the cops on me and that I was to leave his property.  See he was making it seem like I had embarrassed him early and was done with me and my trust issues when in actuality the young lady was in the house and he needed me gone so that she didn't see me.  As I stood there dumbfounded and so heartbroken trying to understand I then saw the young lady dart to her car.  S then walked past me, caught up to the unsuspecting young lady (who seemed to be trying to pull off), and left me standing there in my sorrow.

I married young, was married before I graduated high school.  I NEVER experienced an infidelity issue with my husband.  Never felt he ever lied to me.  He never raised his voice to me and when we would get into arguments he would simply dismiss himself until we calmed down.  This year makes 10 years that my husband has passed.  I've had heartache, definitely experienced all those things after he past, but what I hadn't experienced was an emotional roller coaster such as this.  One minute deeply in love with me and the next such cold eyes as if I don't exist.  I hadn't experienced breaking away time and time again to only break down and start the cycle again.  Well after this occurrence I decided to talk to one of my big sisters and explain what I had been dealing with for the past year and half.  I explained to her how when I first met him he was my "savior".  I had just been in a car accident and the company was not calling me back, paying, etc.  He swooped in and saved the day. From there was adamant about meeting my children, would cook us dinner, all this talk about spending the rest of his life with me, etc.  Now I figured ok......it's been over a month, could this actually be happening to me.....someone loves me finally.................................................oh boy how wrong I was.

Within a couple months I noticed first the calls would decrease.  The only time I would hear from him was when he needed something.  Any other time our communication was always through texts.  He would tell me things he would do and never follow through, would tell my children things and never keep commitments.  Then right before Christmas is when the emotional abuse begin.  He went from me being the love of his life to cursing and yelling at me.  I had never experienced this growing up and made excuses that this is just how he was raised.  We are raised differently right?  Some parents argue and curse their kids, some don't, right?  Sure enough around New Year I got the "I'm sorry for how I treated you, I was so wrong but I know it's too late.  Can't take back what the things I"ve said".  Awwww he realizes the woman he had and now see's he was wrong!  Awesome - WRONG!  This would continue to occur each time I would let go.  The excuses to come back became more serious.  Next would be his grandfather being diagnosed with cancer, next would be him dying, sometimes something with school, just was always something different, and while there were some truth to the madness it was all used to draw me back into the web.

As I told this story to my sister I could hear her laugh and I was like why are you laughing??  She begin to tell me that she wasn't laughing at me but that in listening to me she felt like she was listening to herself repeat what she had gone through earlier.  She then asked me one simple questions, "How's his relationship with his mother?".  I then laughed because I had found out over time that S's relationship with his biological mother was not a good one at all.  His mother did not want him (so goes the story) and his father and step-mother raised him.  I could tell when he spoke that the woman he actually refereed to as his mom was his step-mother.......he referred to his mother by her real name or nothing at all......but then also had some resentment with his step-mother in feeling like she treated him differently than his younger sisters she had with his dad.  "He sounds like he's Narcissistic", she then replied.  Narciss what?????  I had NEVER even heard of the word.  I then faintly remember Khole on the Kardashian Show calling Kourtney's boyfriend a Narcissist and Sociopathic lier.  I never even looked the word up.  She then told me to look it up and in the dictionary it read "Excessive love or admiration of oneself".  Didn't sound that harmful to me but when I repeated this to her she said "No, you need to look deeper. Google Narcissistic Men and Relationships", and O............M............G............. *tears*

My tears that I had been shedding all night, most of the day went from being from so much pain to joy that I now know...............................................................it was never me.  I then too felt like my life was being read to me by people I had never met all over the Internet.  My characteristic and the woman I am never had a chance with him.  I then had to be careful to not feel so bad for him that I became compelled to "love him more".....that's what I had been doing - making excused for his behavior yet deciding to still "hold him down", love him unconditionally.  In different readings it stated that the men (and women because can be both) lack empathy (hence why when sick there was no call to check on me, do you need soup, meds) but I remember him calling because he needed something.....when things were good and then quickly changed and I questioned he would twist my words so that to by the end of the conversation I felt like sh*t and was wanting to apologize to him...........................the lying..........the coldness..........and then 2 days later the love again.  Just a terrible vicious cycle.  I then began to question did he ever really love me and in readings finally accepted that he loved me to the best of his capabilities.

I was then able to forgive him and give closure to myself that I had been seeking when left standing in the driveway on Friday.  I then could look up ways for healing myself.  You see I understand he had this condition but had to realize and understand my conditions for allowing it to continue.  I realize I am a woman that loves hard, I forgive, and am very giving - it's how I'm wired - but it's also my downfall and what predator's are drawn to. I have to fix me, begin to love me more so that I'm able to move on and know the warning signs for when I decide to get back out there and date.  In reading a blog "The Narcissistic Continuum" the writer compared dating to a three step process:

1. Get a plant - take care of for 6 months 2. Get a dog - take care of for 6 months  3. Get a Partner.

I also took away some valuable information in how to proceed once I do begin to date again Dr. Martha Stout, author of "The Sociopath Next Door"......

 
I love him.........no doubt about it..........but I accept that I will have to love him from afar.  I now have two new goals for my list this year....and a lot of time to make up for the depression and time missed with my children.

It is my prayer that this blog helps someone out there like the one that has helped me......
                                     
#Healing  and  #BecomingMyOwnBestFriend

I would like to add that my weekend actually ended on a good note.......no I didn't make any of the All Star games do to being so depressed initially but on Sunday I did get out with my girlfriends to a Day Party and had a blast! **I'm the one in the grey/blackish dress ;-) **

~Peace & Blessings~

Friday, February 15, 2013

Updates........

This is an update from my New Years Blog and Goals that I would like to accomplish for 2013........  Still having some challenges when it comes to S............*hangs head*

Below is a list of things I would like to accomplish throughout the year.......

1. Daniel Fast  - Completed 01/2013

2. "The Purpose Driven Life" - Still needing to get caught up!
3. Date Night / Girls Night Out Monthly - Poetry Night (Jan.) Superbowl Party (Feb.) House Party (tonight :-)
4. Dating with no attachments - So tried to step out of the box and give my number to a gentlemen I met........smh.......He hit me the very next day but conversation went south when he referred to me as a "Sweet Tendoroni" and then when I asked if he were involved he stated that I would be his next "Boo"............................................................................................ 39 yrs old :-/
*sighs*
5. Abstinence - Failed the 6 months......but have decided to start with Lent (40 days) and go from there.
6. PhD Program - Application is complete!  Now awaiting for funds to take the GRE Exam.
7. 52 Week Money  Challenge - Had to let this go for first couple months being behind already but will be caught up in the month of March :-) 
8. NO Chemicals or Heat on hair for at least the next 6 months - Braids are still in. Taking down between now and end of month and then will have more pictures so that I'm able to create Post for Hair :-)
9. I will commit to Yoga daily - Hit and miss some days but for the most past have been getting in weekly
10. Cancun or Miami in June (Girlfriends Bday) - First payment due March 1st!
11. Myrtle Beach in August (First Family Reunion) - Family isn't responding as we would like so...........will see........
12. California in December! - Still in the making......
13. Church Participation (Choir, Youth, etc.) - Need to do better!
14. CASA Appointment - Completed Feb. 11th, 2013!!
15. Obtain a Passport - Awaiting Tax Refund to accomplish
16. No Overdraft fee's for the year - Bombed - Rough first couple months.....but hopefully no more starting with March.
17. More toning with weights - Awesome!!!  Picture ---->
18. Six Flags Fiesta Texas / Daughter's bday - Awaiting Tax Refund
19. Mosaic Women's Course - I did decide to let this go for now. May revisit later in the year.
20. Monthly FunDay with kids - Missed Jan. but tomorrow taking them to the Jam Session for All Star!!
21. Take more baths than showers - Need to do better........
22. Blog about every single one of these items - Coming along..........
23. Delta Sigma Theta Centennial Celebration - Still up in the air........

Well there it is.........upset that I've allowed myself to carry something (someone) over into the New Year that I said I wouldn't so praying that can break the bad habit - SOON.

~Peace & Blessings~

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy New Year!!!

My oh my what a year and what a break!  Love working in Higher Ed *giggles*

Let's see where shall I start......have my song, "Tis' So Sweet", my scripture Matthew 26:41, and even a motto I would like to remember throughout the year (thanks to Tyrese), "Expect what you accept from people".  This past year was crazy!  Ups and downs, excitements and tears but I am truly grateful and thankful that I'm still not pushing daisy's.  I spent my break doing some much needed cleaning, physically and mentally.  Ended a relationship and hoping to build a better one with God, family and friends.  My last week of the year is always spent cleaning and developing a new list of goals I would like to accomplish sooooo today I'm gonna do something different.  Along with my list I've taken a word to focus on as well.  I mentioned the word in my last blog but the word again is Responsibility.  Responsibility for my actions and decisions, health, mental stability, etc.  Again this is MY Responsibility so will also remind myself that I can not control the actions of another, perceptions of me, or beliefs.  I'm excited about this year, as with any year, but his year marks the 10th Anniversary of my husband's passing and I'm just doing some things differently.  First on the list is a new phone number.....yep, after 10 years believe it's time.  Like my old car I believe I've been holding on to this number for longer than I should and it's time to let even the 916 go. 

Below is a list of things I would like to accomplish throughout the year.......

1. First on the list is the Daniel Fast.... My sister and her church Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church are doing this fast for the next 21 days and I would like to also join in.  Would like to cleanse my system one, and also for discipline of prayer and devotion.  My walk has dwindled with God and I would like to do better.
2. Along with the fast I'm reading "The Purpose Driven Life".  I've had this book for a couple years now and have never read past the 1st chapter.
3. I commit to at least one date night or Girls Night Out Monthly.
4. This year I will date without any attachments. Having fun for me will be to get out, enjoying meeting others, all while keeping my legs closed.
5. Celibacy Abstinence - Now I'm not even gonna lie, I've never made it past 4 months *hangs head* but I do know that I NEVER want to experience the hurt that I have this past year or so.......therefor the next man that gets a whiff of what's between my legs will be worth it, appreciate it, and take care of it.  I can't say how long.....would like until marriage or even a year, but will start with 6 months and see how that goes.
6. Begin PhD Program, or at least the Research pre-requisite class.
7. Save $500 monthly 52 Week Money  Challenge - With all my bills caught up this could be possible so will attempt to begin after tax time.
8. NO Chemicals or Heat on hair for at least the next 6 months.  I will start blogging about my hair journey shortly.  I wanted to create a new blog but we'll see......
9. I will commit to Yoga daily
10. Cancun or Miami in June (Girlfriends Bday)
11. Myrtle Beach in August (First Family Reunion)
12. California in December! (Haven't spent a Holiday with my parents in 9 years, not happening in 2013).
13. Church Participation (Choir, Youth, etc.)
14. CASA Appointment - I've been volunteering with a Juvenile Court here locally and would like to become a Certified Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth.
15. Obtain a Passport - For the above mentioned #10
16. No Overdraft fee's for the year.......
17. I would like to workout more with weights as to tone my body
18. Six Flags Fiesta Texas for my daughters bday
19. Complete a Mosaic Women's Course at our church....this may clash with CASA but only for a couple of weeks.
20. Have a least one fun day with my children Monthly.
21. Take more baths than showers....
22. Blog about every single one of these items (hopefully attaching some pics here and there).....helping me to Blog more :-)
23. Delta Sigma Theta Centennial Celebration

What I would like my blog to read at the end of 2013.......
2013 was the year…
I showed up as me...
I gave myself the gift of yoga several days a week.
I said “thank you” more.
I trusted the answers I heard within.
I said “no” when my gut told me to.
I created stronger boundaries.
I shared the truth more.
I spent more time breathing than reacting.
I stood tall in the beauty and the shit that is each day, that is living, and I stayed true to me.
I gave myself the gift of knowing I am enough and believing it.
I learned to enjoy me, alone.
I spent more time nurturing relationships with my family and friends than I spent online.
I continued to let go of the expectations of others.
I opened my heart to love in ways I never thought possible....


I don't necessarily find myself waiting for a new year to begin new things....for instance have cut a lot of meat out of my diet couple months ago and the last time I put a chemical in my hair was in June/July of 2012.  But, a New Year brings a different excite, clean slate, to began again.  Let go of past and leave it there, looking forward to new beginnings and events.  I plan to have more happy moments and peace this year in 2013!

~Peace & Blessings~

Monday, December 3, 2012

Holistic Change.....

So I've decided to go "Natural".  My outlook on the "Natural" move though does not only apply to my hair.  I've always eaten a lot of baked foods and am very consistent with what I eat daily.  I can have the same Turkey sandwich for lunch, same Oatmeal for breakfast, same snack, etc.  But recently I've been eating more Clean foods thanks to E-meals, a program developed by Dave Ramsey (Financial Guru).  I have given up on coffee (please keep me in prayer because I am a Starbucks JUNKIE), and have been having green tea every morning and some other type before retiring to bed.  I've also been keeping my home cleaner.  Now I'm not saying I'm just dirty, clothes everywhere, toothpaste, etc.  I keep my car cleaned, bathroom, etc.  But I don't go back and dust or just give that fresh wipe down as I believe I should.  Also, I had been wearing braids for almost 3 months and finally took them down.  I had decided to try "Two Strand Twist".  My goal is to go through 2013 without any chemicals and possibly heat.......but we'll see about the later.  Anywhoo - while washing/deep conditioning my hair I begin to fold 3 loads of clothes that have been just sitting, cleaned bathroom, rearranged my sink area adding some candles, and just trying to declutter.....yea that's it - I have clutter issues smh.  I can straighten up a pile of junk and make it look really nice lol  Hey.....  But I'm trying to do better with that.  I have papers, folders, just junk that I need to toss without even looking at.  The most important paperwork I already have filed away and looking through the pile will only lead me to some crazy thought that it needs to be kept again so NOPE - TRASH.  I have a couch I've been trying to sell on Craig's List and have had no luck with that either.  It is taking up space in my dining area and I just want it out so will be calling around to see what places I can donate to that also will pick it up because my goal is to have it out before the New Year.

Dating - So how often should one talk to the person they are seeing?  I love talking on the phone but also love texting.  Are you able to go a day without talking to the one you're involved with?  Maybe I am too clingy....?  But I don't think a phone call a day is asking too much. S and I usually text back and forth during Football Sunday but yesterday he was pretty busy.  I again got upset with him the night before, jealous of him attending yet another party while I sat at home and realized that I NEED TO GET OUT MORE!
During the summer my children go to California with their family for the entire summer and this year I actually was out EVERY weekend.  Told myself that I would make a date with myself every month and failed tremendously so guess I will add that to my "Holistic Journey" as I make these changes for a better me.

~Peace & Blessings~