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Barbara

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Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 89 total)
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  • in reply to: Need Input About Volunteering / Doing Charity Work? #54301
    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi Allison !

    Im so glad we connected as animal lovers ! Yes, I know that feeling, especially as a child – not to be able to do anything to shake these ‘grown up’s’ into action – and into seeing a living breathing living thing suffer – I cant understand it…To this day I find it hard to see an animal suffer. My parents live half the year abroad , and the house across the road had two huge mountain dogs – one chained – yes, chained, all the time. It sickens me to my core – so I hardly ever visit. To be honest I cant bear to stand by – and there are no animal welfare people over there who really will do something. I think when you connect with animals, and see the love and beauty in their eyes, it is a painfull searing anger that brews inside when I see people’s cruelty.

    One thing I have learned though is – if you dwell on it too much you could end up in a giant pit of depair – as there are so many cases in which we can do nothing.

    I want to get back to volunteering – ( which went by the wayside when my energy was zapped in a problematic relationship) And to try to do my part for the creatures that cannot speak for themselves. When I look at my own little cat – who is such a gorgeous funny creature – with all the dynamics of any living thing, I see the essence of the beauty of the world – it sounds mad, but I see that ! If I could have a huge house with lots of dogs, horses, etc I would !

    Allison, I think you are amazing to do what you do because it is emotional and you have that sensitivity to animals pain and their innocence. But no doubt the hard part is to stay detatched, it is near impossible, but do try to say to yourself ”I am doing all I can do right now, I am one person, and I am trying my best”. You have a big heart, so dont beat yourself that you cant save them all – as much as you would wish to with all your heart.

    I understand your pain in looking back to the dogs – but we dont know – maybe they were ok, found another home, and we will never know, which is hard. But I think maybe saying a little prayer / a good wish to Buddah, or just simply sending love to them, where ever they are, here or in heaven – might help you. The little child in you is still sad for the dogs, but try to send all the loving kindness to them, and then give yourself a hug.

    Yes, you are at the animal centre and you see pain, but it shows such strength of character. If you are having a hard day, try maybe to find a like minded spirit in there, maybe someone who you see is gentle, and chat to them. If necessary speak to someone trusted from another animal welfare organisation if you really see things that you feel are not right.

    You are a lovely person – stay strong, and its ok to be sad, to cry, and also to take a day off if you need it ! 🙂

    Sending love
    Namaste
    🙂

    in reply to: Need Input About Volunteering / Doing Charity Work? #54120
    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi Allyson
    I have to be blunt – but what your parents did to the pets in your care was at best ignorant and wrong, and im afraid in my opinion disgusting and deeply misguided. I am like you in that i have a kind of painful empathy with animals…when we see their pain it pains us , it hurts our heart. But at the same time there are those who dont share that sense of the beauty of all living things.
    I remember an uncle of mine had a beautiful farm dog – his spirit was visible…just a generous and girgeous animal. He hurt his leg in the harvester and none of the adults called a vet. I remember my hear aching as a 9 year old. I couldnt understand what was going on – what was wrong with these grown adults ??
    So i understand your love and kindness towards animals. You have a warm and kind heart. I know i would not be strong enough to work in a shelter, as i would not be able to save them so i really am greatful for your strength.
    I have worked occasionally as a collector on the street for a rescue centre and give donations, but you should really be proud. What you see is NOT easy and i think you are amazing. Your warmth and love for the animals radiates from your post. I am sure it is so hard to hear the harshness of that man who shouted – maybe you could broach a senior / kinder member of staff and tell them it was frightening and inappropriate. Or send an anonymous note perhaps ?
    It is such a harsh area – animal welfare is such a harsh and sad , yet rewarding area of work.
    Again i think you have a beautiful spirit. You are a wonderful petson. Take heart that the animals benefit from your words and kind pats and they know you are a kind person on their side.
    Love and regards 😉
    Barbs 🙂

    in reply to: Silence is not golden #53229
    Barbara
    Participant

    Sorry for the spellings, im sending from a mobile phone 🙂 😉
    Xx

    in reply to: Silence is not golden #53228
    Barbara
    Participant

    Dearest Catterpillar
    I logged in the minute i saw your post – as it is so very sad, and you do not deserve this.
    Please do not worry about a messy divorce – as long as you are with him you will be in a messy situation anyway. Unfortunately he is using emotional abuse as his “weapon of warfare” as he put it. How dare he use warfare against you, who has a child with him ? The things you described are NOT ok ! You must gather your resources, and that beautiful baby and try to get some help.
    Can you confide in good friends / trusted family members ?
    You are with a man who has no boundaries, and he for reasons of his own has an inne unhappiness – and is flogging you verbally to make himself feel better.
    Please believe you deserve better. You will be ok – after all yiu haveca job, a baby, and yourself ! Let him deal with his hatred alone !
    Please dear sister, you have been through enough.
    Sending live and kindness
    Let us know how u are doing.

    Barbs.

    Barbara
    Participant

    Ha 🙂 thanks Matt…im laughing – kick his butt out the door !!

    You know what keeps me going is the living breathing beautiful creature here on my knee – my little perfect cat. Sounds mad but she survived cancer and she is loved by everyone ! She head butts me in the morning, sleeps on my bed, and she is the most loving creature – the embodiment of perfection ! Im lucky to have her, and lits of other beautiful people and things in my life. I guess these things are reminding me that life still goes on ! I have my kids at school, my friends, my family ( and my repaired relationship with my mother – through meditation and mindfulness i forgave her for her emotional absence )

    These are all gifts – and i cannot be ungreatful for all that i do have, just because i cant get what i “want” in this situation.

    Namaste
    Warmth and peace
    Barbs.

    in reply to: I'm not happy…? #51673
    Barbara
    Participant

    Dear julia
    no you are not silly to feel that way – you are very much entitled to feel sad,.as you described quite a lonely home life. I know you say you are accepting of it, but i know how upsetting and anxiety enducing it can be. You may have all the essentials – shekter, food etc, but we also need a nurturing environment. Please understand – it is not your fault that the adults around you are dealing very unskillfully with their own stuff – something that just becomes habitual and almost ‘normal’.

    Im guessing your sadness and confusion is because you sense that it is not very happy – and of course that makes you sad. Please dont despair. Connect with any friends, or close and helpful people – maybe a school councellor ? Do get someone to talk to,.and seek out a person you can confide in.

    Having gone through similar when i was your age – i know it is important to really understand that its not your fault, and you cant fix them, as they are on their own wavelengths at times ! Try to also get out with friends, and dont isolate yoursel – and u deffinitely do not want to dissapear 🙂 You will get through this, and there are people who love you – even those who are not showing it skillfully !
    Maybe you have some hobbies / music / yoga classes that you could do to look after you. Most importantly – reach out, like you are here. Talk to someone as you should not go through this alone. Sometimes parents and family dont realise what tgey are doing – fumbling along in their habits. Main advice – do talk to someone at school – they will help you, and its good to get it out to somebody in confidence.

    You sound like such a clever, and lovely person 🙂 dont loose heart 🙂
    It will be ok. You arent alone,

    Barbs. xx.

    in reply to: break up again – (decisions post from a while backcontinued) #51648
    Barbara
    Participant

    Thanks Matt for believeing in me ! 🙂 Trying hard to believe in myself, with all the self blame and whipping myself.

    But i went to work , concentrated in the kids, and they lifted my spirits, as they always do. They are just how i wish i could be – just happy and care free. I love my job,.and it was good to see neutral people, who see me as good at my job and competent, and just talk about ordinary things. I confided in my 2 best friends at work – and it made me feel nice that they know about it, in the event that i need to talk. Other than that i want to keep it to myself and be strongvin my job. I cant let the children down. They are in their first year at school and need all my full attention. This is not bigger than them.

    I just have that feeling that i want him back, but have stood strong in not calling or txting, as i cant let myself beg someone who seems to have pulled away. I would love to talk to him, but in my rational mind i know the lonely nights and walks on my own, feeling sad, was not happiness ( still trying to figure was that my codependency or was it him and the relationship – thats the real thingcthat keeps me thinking – was it my insecurities making my path to joy impossible, or was it the fit being not fully compatible – could it work if i put asside all judgement and all neediness ??? )

    Im trying to stay in the moment – put it in the hands of a higher power, and let it pan out ( he still has all his belongings here though, so maybe that too is keeping me slightly calm ) Im trying my best i guess, and im proud that i didnt cry at work – i stayed with myself and my focus was those children, who think im the grown up !!

    Thank you Matt, you are a friend to us all and to mother earth herself 🙂

    With warmth and grattitude

    Barbs 🙂

    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi All.
    Im really tryingbut i feel so dasperate. The mornings are the worst, and our cat keeps looking for him, any noises and she thinks its him and she goes to the door ( he used to play with her and get on the floor and she would roll over for him – he loves her ) She keeps whimpering – and im just as bad. I went out with friends last night, to a new place – all i could thibk of was “this is our type of place” he would love it ” every sight and sound was him and i had to leave as i would have cried if i stayed any longer.

    I miss him so much – his arms around me at night – despite all I am so so deep in despair that ill never have him with me again. My codependency was so bad – who would want such a person ? I drove him away with it. But i wanted more – a few loving messages, a flower the very odd time, a call to say i miss u – but maybe there was no space for that with the codependeny andcthe fights, and my unhappy spirit….i may go to the grave loving him. I may never love anyone again and the thought of another man makes me fell like ” no, not ever again “.

    My stomach aches all day, i cry every time i wake up. I see the cat looking for him and my heart is breaking. Nothing seems good, I have no wish to live or be here anymore. I eouldnt harm myself but i dont see the point in anything. I feel weak and tired and with no hope. I wish he would take me in his arms and say ” i love you, we can work things out, we can compromise and grow and be loving to eachother ” but thats a fantasy. He has said those things in the past and we never did it. I never stopped my clinging. So now i must go to work tomorrow, act ok, and hope i dont cry at the staff room table.

    I just feel for anyone else going through this – may god bless you. And i hope and pray that the universe will help me to get through this pain.

    With love
    Barbs.

    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi Michela,

    I didnt see your message until now – wow it sounds like you have a very loving relationship, and you have found a real balance,

    Yes I have to love myself, and reassure myself – and I just wish I could have and now its all too late.

    It wasnt all his fault – and I should have been self sufficient, but I missed him all the time – those 14 hour days are so lonely when he is working.

    I am really feeling his loss – because now I cant fix anything (eccept myself) but I want him back.

    Now I feel he is gone as cold as ice – maybe he will hange his phone, move house and ill never see him again – eccept to get his things.

    Its very painful to realise that I should just have let him be, why was I always prodding and poking at him.

    Big regrets,

    Barbs. xx

    in reply to: break up again – (decisions post from a while backcontinued) #51538
    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi Matt,

    Thank you so much. I felt a little better yesterday, but then I read the 12 steps and traditions of a healthy relationship in Al – Anon, and I really felt it all spoke to me.

    I tried so much to be the boss, telling him how things should be according to me – that I didnt want him smoking weed (one joint in the garden after work), that I didnt like his friends, that Id like to see him for dinner etc – I acted like the dictator.

    Instead of stepping back and being non judgemental, I wanted to pull the strings, to be in control. His words are ringing in my ear ”everything had to be at your pace Barbs”, ”your opinion was always the right opinion” , ”you used me as a crutch” etc – all thie things in the al – anon traditions for healthy relationships – I seem to have done the total opposite. Instead of encouraging him I criticised, instead of being patient I tried to steer the ship. And thats my doing, my part, and he had good qualities of kindness, being loving and affectionate – his hugs were like a bear, he always held me in bed – now I have screwed it all up by being a dictator, a total ego – maniac.

    Reading those traditions scared the crap out of me – as I honestly feel I did everything that I was not supposed to do. Asking him when he would be home, what he was doing Sunday, dissaproving of him going out with his mates for beers occasionally etc. Im terrifies now after reading those traditions. I was not like a loving, unconditionally caring partner – sometimes I was like a finger wagging mother – and now he is gone. Ill never get a chance to try to change with him – to let him grow and change at his own pace.

    I have heard nothing from him yesterday, and Im sure I will only hear him to get back his things that are still here.

    I wish now I had another chance.

    In Warmth and kindness,
    Barbs

    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi Matt,

    Thanks, yes I feel that even if he couldnt help it due to his hours – he just wasnt here. Although I love him, this made me claw and scratch at him for affection and I wanted more all the time, as you say – like a hungry person, reaching out for food. I wanted more phone calls, so that I knew he cared, I wanted more in general.

    It just really saddens me that he blames me – but I guess he feels that his career was always his career, and he cant change that and I knew him from the start. Its almost as if i see that I should have known at the start that I would have to sacrifice a lot, and if I couldnt do it I should have let him go.

    Instead I went to Australia with him for a year, because I didnt want to be without him – and it was again a disaster – him working 14 hours, my visa never came so I was 14 hours alone in a far away place every day. It was the circumstances, but I should have let him go by himself in the first place. Out of fears and worries that i would loose him to someone else I went with him. Instead I selfishly wanted to go with him, so I wouldnt loose him. Maybe these were the warning signs that we were just in different places in our lives too (my career is very stable and the hours very settled, and i have my house, my car – he is really only starting out on his career path – and never had that stable family to help out or guide him in a good direction ) I took a career break, wiped out my savings, and followed my heart.

    Then there is our different backgrounds – his friends, drug use that they engage in occasionaly, the chef lifestyle, and the differences in us seem that we are incompatible.

    It just really makes me sad that he ever was adopted into that family – where would he be now if he was elsewhere – who knows. His poor birth mother gave him up thinking he was going into a loving home, and he went into a bad area, a father who was absent and violent, and he started work at 14 on a milk round, then workking as a chef from 16. Just life makes me sad in this way – maybe he would have gone to college and had a father figure, if he was in a differnt family and had more choices. But who the hell am I to say what somebodys destiny could or would be. It is what it is in this moment.

    And in this moment he is done. Last night he called me, as I had asked him to – and he said ”i have walked along the cliffs with you for too long now I need to get down off them and pick myself up and start again” I felt so sad and said, ”please dont shut me out”. His answer was ”i dont see a future with you”, right now there is no chance. 3 / 4 months down the line there is more chance of a possibility, but not now ”

    So thats it – any choice is taken from me – he is calling the shots, and he has let go.

    I will have to try as you said Matt to self care, and try to get on with it. I spoke to my friend, who has no insecurities, and she said ”I couldnt have dealt with the chef hours and I am not insecure” – this slightly puts my mind at rest that Im not weak, and that many others couldnt do it either. I will have to try now to set him free, and to let him go. I cant wail and beg – he has made up his mind. I will try to get my act together and keep going, however hard it is. I will really try to reach out and not to be alone – as I know my mind will take me down all sorts of avenues – where is he, did he meet another woman etc – so I have to keep busy now, and try not to cave in.

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart Matt, for taking the time to talk to me. I really helps.

    Namaste,
    Peace and happiness,
    Barbs.

    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi Matt

    Thank you, yes It is so painful, and Im trying but im not controling myself very well – today i went to his mums house and waited for him, and he had a look of disbelief and disgust, as I guess he has ended it and I am clearly almost harassing him. When i woke up i had a feeling of desperation, fear, panic – I had in my mind no choice but to run to him. I missed him like a sharp needle of pain.

    When he got into the car I drove him to work – he did not want me to but I pleaded. He was stony faced and cold, and he summarised what he had gone through with me – he siad i was controling, (an issue i know i dave – and clearly so damaging), jealous, and made the house feel like an anxious hole. That i have deep issues in relationships (which i do – i seem to be fine with everyone else but in a relationship i smother out of terror of being hurt behind my back) He said he had tried and tried, and that i made his life a misery due to my controling ways, wanting to know where he was and pin him down (as in making plans all the time, and wanting to know when he would be home etc )

    So I have to own all that – because I did all that, and quite honestly I feel like I dont want to live anymore – I am defficient in a relationship – I cant let go, I cant love properly. I am so full of shame and guilt for what I did to him, making him suffer that way. Why did I do it – whay couldnt I be in control of myself all along instead of trying to control him ? Now its too late – he said there is no hope.

    He did try – he tried to show me love and I was always suspicious and asking questions to reassure my mind.

    What a selfish person I have been, I have been an appaling parson to him – and he works so hard, those long hours.

    I think maybe I will never rrecover from the guilt – I will have to always know that I did that to us, to him.

    I know he wasnt perfect – but now I see how good he was and how self assured I was – thinking he would not leave me – how could he not, it was almost inevitable he would leave me.

    I have no more chances to try again. He will meet somebody in the industry, someone stronger who can handle the chef hours, who dosent smother him, and I will never have that chance again.

    I know I sound like a teenager here – like a broken hearted little girl, but Im in so much pain I dont even know who I am or who he is – Im lost completely. I am so devastated at his coldness – because he wants to cut me off and not give me false hope.

    I know I should breathe and feel the pain, but I want to escape it, I want him back, and I cant have that.

    Thanks Matt, yes, I really am in the shit – really deep in the shit.

    Barbs.

    in reply to: break up again – (decisions post from a while backcontinued) #51350
    Barbara
    Participant

    Hi Mark

    Thank you for your kind response, I really appreciate it.

    Yes, im full of grief, shame, doubt and all of those not so nice emotions. Thank you – it helps just to know you are there in kindness.

    Many thanks i will try to breathe. Yes i like that movie and phrase !

    Yes i will try to meditate, and do my best to sit and feel it.

    Wishing you peace and happiness too.

    Barbs.

    in reply to: I feel i have ruined everything #49966
    Barbara
    Participant

    Dear Prakhar
    i think what you are doing is beating yourself, and being very hard on yourself. The mind is such a powerful thing,.and yet we can get control of it by firstly breathing, coming back to ourselves, nourishing our body, eat well, meditate – see guided meditations on u tube…..this girl is not your life. You deserve your own love as much as anyone else does. Please start the journey of loving you – you are worthy of kindness- give that to yourself. It seems that for now the best thing is to look after you. Please believe ne – this WILL pass,.and you will be ok. We only feel powerless when we think we are small and undeserving. You are 19 !! You have so much time fir love, but u must first stop and calm your mind. Take steps towards self love and the rest will get better. To an outsider this girl is also young and needs lots of time to know herself. Let her be free to find her path,.and set yourself free for now.
    I promise it will get better ! And soon no matter what happens outside of you will not rock your boat as much. During my college years i had this same anxiety – but it passed, and yoyrs will too. Sit with it, feel the panic…say “panic i see you are here, that us ok ” and then breathe ! You are not blasphemous !! You are frightening yourself by thinking these things – they are ONLY thoughts – do not be afraid 🙂
    Hugs and blessings. You can do it…ant plenty of good food, nice tea, and keep writing if you need to here 🙂
    barbara.

    in reply to: No way out #49573
    Barbara
    Participant

    Dear Silvia,

    I am so sorry to hear what you have been going through – and first of all to say , what a fabulously strong person you are to keep down your airline job, and look after your daughter during this turmoil and stress. That truly shows your strength and courage as a person.

    You have been through so much, and from an outside perspective – it is clear that you are undergoing mental and emotional abuse, and physical threats too. It seems that from what you say – it is your partner who needs help with his control issues. How dare he intimidate you in your home, and how unjust of him to put you in this position with your daughter standing by – whom no doubt you want to protect. The fact that all of this is going on would lead me to say – get away fast girl ! You have a job, you can confide in those friends that he does not like – and explain what has been going on,. Or perhaps you have sisters or brothers who you can stay with ? Whover is a good friend will help you out, even for a few weeks.

    This man has no right to intimidate, and corner you, break down doors….who does he think he is ? You are the one holding it all together – working, and trying to keep things afloat – but you say yourself that there is ”no getting through to him”. Please dear sister – you can and will, as I think you know – be fine, actually you will be way more than fine – you will be great. Just take that next step to freedom, when you have things in place, and when you have your accomodation / living arrangements organised. Do not worry – that part will work itself out, once you decise to do it.

    I hope there will be much more advice here, and well done for your steps in self care – yoga and meditation – which again is proof of your strength and will to keep yourself positive and as well as you can. Writing on here is also a great step, as you are reaching out ! There are organisations that can help you too – and I know that they would be very aware of the delicate nature of making a move – so maybe a womans shelter would even be an option for a very short time, or at least for good advice. The practicalitites will hopefully be all worked out.

    Hearing your words ”i just want peace’ and ‘I want to break free’ it seems you want to get away and start a peaceful life – and one you deserve ! Please keep well and take care, and keep as positive as you can. Things will get better. You also sound like a kind, caring and intelligent person – you have everything going for you, and your daughter too.

    Love and Namaste
    Barbs 🙂

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 89 total)