The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Before recovery, I took on other people's emotions like they were my own - particularly the alcoholic's emotions. If the alcoholic was happy, I was happy. If the alcoholic was depressed, I was depressed. If the alcoholic was drunk, I was just as crazy even if I was sober.
Even today it's hard - albeit easier - not to do this. My AH is waiting for results from a licensing test he took back in July. The wait is horribly long for results, but they should be released tomorrow. He anxious to see if he passed, although he is clearly working his program and telling himself that what's done is done and worrying won't change the outcome. It's hard not to feel anxiety on his behalf and to not project about WHAT IF he doesn't pass.
Today I'm grateful for the program because, although I'm feeling more anxiety than I would like, I'm not feeling nearly as much as I know I would be without the progress I've made in recovery.
I'm grateful for progress, and at peace with how far I've come.
great work n progress! It is glorious to see our efforts in program, working! Kudos!
I know for me, I expereinced anxiety anytime I got focused on the future (an outcome) or another person. My bf & I are both codies, so yes it can be difficult to detach from what he is feeling and just feel me - but it is so worth it, when I do. When I get worried or anxious, I quickly pray to the HP I refer to as God and willingly relese the feelings to that source. I pray for more willingness to work my own program, so that I can be utilized in god's will if that is what HP requires of me. I have put my spirituality in front of most other things in my life so this has been a very long time Ive done this.
However it wasnt gettting anywhere, until I let go of future outcoems and other people. Thank god for detachment! I too felt like an empath bc myself would rush out the door and I would be enthusiastically feeling the emotion of whoever I was physically closest to or focused on.
I find, it all works better when I can be productive/consttructive for me and as healthy as I can, focused on me and not them. Worry only feeds negatvitiy and stresss into a situaiton that already has it. Since u cnanot control what happnes - focus on what will allow you to feel better right now/today and do that thing and see if it indeed does allow u to feel better about YOUrself or ur situation. TC and GB and be kind and gentle to YOU. Rescue you. So glad ur here and it is working for you, u are worth it and more! kcb
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Light, Love, Peace, Blessings & Healing to Us All. God's Will Be Done. Amen.
Ditto all the above. Hang in there. I hope things work out but if not keep posting and talking about it. It seems almost anything can be overcome if we have support and stick with it.
I know in my experience, feeling as if I could "read" people's thoughts and emotions, I took on whatever it was they were feeling. I never knew my own feelings at all! If someone was mad, I was mad. If they were sad, so was I. Anyway, I am learning that first of all I was reading body language and second, I can have my own feelings :) Good for you for recognizing this in your self. Take care of you!
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You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. -Buddha
The past has flown away. The coming month and year do not exsist. Ours only is the present's tiny point. -Mahmud Shabistanri