Hi, Recently, I have been having trouble letting go of a friend's behavior. We have been through a lot together, much of it good, but lately I have found her behavior to be pretty hurtful. Each morning, I pray for the strength to accept her behavior for what it is and let it go. I don't want to keep being swayed by my response to it, but I am all over the place with it. Today I read about how in other people's hurtful behavior there is a lesson for me. I am being taught what I won't tolerate, what isn't acceptable for me. That was an eye opener for me. Now I feel like I have another step I can take. I can respond in a way that is respectful of me. She has made her choice, to be hurtful, and I've been so worried about her choice I haven't paid attention to the choices I have for myself in front of me. I'm often told to pray for the people that get me riled. Nice theory, I thought. That's hard to do. But now I think I can do it. Because I think praying for her is just the thing that is going to allow me to let her go. Thanks for listening, kristen

What you said was so true!  We have to 'let go & let god'. 

Worrying about other ppl just keeps our mind's not focusing on our own lives.  Most of us are relatively able bodied & proudly want to stand on our own two feet.  It seems like the A's just resent us for "helping". 

Tough love is just that but I know I am the only person I can control or change.  But the beauty of that too is (it's not completely totally the way it has to be) see if I make even just one small change in my own behavior, it forces the other person to experience it & maybe make a change too.  I'm not suggesting doing anything out of manipulation, just that our behavior creates ripples (in the water) & it touches others.

thanks for sharing, -k

Thanks Pixel, more great reminders for me today.  I can pray for people that I have issues with. It takes the hurt and anger I feel towards that person and helps me to be a more humble/nonjudging person. I am back to being centered.  Thanks Pixel, SenoraBob