Kyra felt stuck. If she tried to break her role in the family as caretaker, rescuer, enabler and scapegoat she would be causing her parents, her siblings and her adult children pain. How could she cause pain and grief for the people she loved and felt sorry for?
Growing up in the chaos of a family with alcoholic and narcissistic parents, Kyra had tried to protect herself, her siblings and her parents from each other; from the lies, hypocrisy, manipulation, brutality, pain and rage that were constant. She’d become the target of all the pain they dished out. Her role was to give in, to take it, to rise above, to be strong enough to make them feel as good as she could. Her pain didn’t matter to anyone.
Her adult children continued the pattern. As soon as they were old enough, they forced her into the same roles. Since her habitual way was trying to bring peace, order and consistency to chaos and pain, she went willingly.
What’s more important, politeness and long-term order or truth and justice?
Kyra finally had enough. The negativity, criticism and back-stabbing, the bullying, abuse and narcissism had become overwhelming. They denied everything, they said she was too sensitive and it was all her fault, they wouldn’t listen to her.
What’s more important, keeping an old way of being that destroys your Soul or giving your Soul the love, honor and freedom it needs to direct your life?
The future she’d always wanted was fading and disappearing. Every time she tried to claim it, they snatched it away and drew her back into the family melodrama with her as the villain. She felt her life was not in her control and would continue that way forever.
Her Spirit had risen up and simply said, “Enough!”
Her health deteriorated and she wanted to run away from them all and disappear. Her survival instinct rose up. She’d always fought for survival and now she’d fight for her own life, the life she’d always wanted. They’d respect her or else.
She wasn’t going to take it anymore. But how could she be sure she was right when everyone disagreed with her? And how about the guilt that flooded her when she thought of the pain and grief she’d cause them, breaking up the family they said was so important to them?
To have your own unique Soul-filled life you must cause predators (vampires, wolves, and leeches) and slave owners pain; you must cause bullies, narcissists and abusers pain.
Kyra found a place in her gut that felt like “Absolute Truth.” She sensed the family dynamic in full clarity. She was certain of what had happened to her and what would happen if she continued to play her role in this sham they called a loving family.
She was done carrying all their pain. She was done being responsible for their happiness. She was done with the sham. She wanted a real family; a family in which she would be accepted for who she truly was, a family that appreciated, respected and honored her efforts, a family that wanted her tender love and loved her tender in return.
Their pain is the only chance you can offer to help them change.
Instead of seeing their pain and suffering as something bad she should feel guilty about causing, she now saw their pain and suffering as her invitation to them to change, to open up to new ways of being and loving. She realized they’d never gain unless she acted in a way they’d choose to feel pain. And they had free will. They could accept her loving invitation or reject it. In any case, she’d go looking for people in the tribe of her heart. Them or other people; their choice.
Words alone are never enough; there must be painful consequences or they’ll never treat you right.
Kyra realized that the history of her whole life showed they wouldn’t change when she tried kindness and reason, when she tried to educate them, to show them better ways to interact, to rescue them from the pain they inflicted on each other and on themselves.
She would not act mean or nasty. She would simply act firm, determined and courageous. If necessary, she do what she said matter-of-factly.
There had to be consequences; she would break the family dynamic.
She’d even act in public, even if they were embarrassed. Their apologies would be nice but wouldn’t count for much. They’d have to make amends. You wouldn’t let them off the hook; wouldn’t let them think they’d gotten past it because she’d accepted an apology.
Of course, there are many complications depending on your situation. The best way to learn how to take power in your life and to be the person you want to be is to hire Dr. Ben for personalized coaching and counseling so you can:
- Develop the strength, courage, will and determination to be and to act your best resolutely, diligently and effectively.
- Develop a plan and master the skills necessary to create the life your spirit has always hungered for.
Since all tactics depend on the situation, call me at 1-877-8Bullies for expert counseling and coaching by phone or Skype.