I find another approach to this acceptance of the death of hope is to step in the other person’s shoes.

I have this 3 step approach to compassion and empathy: 1) Intellectually understand what is causing the other person’s behavior, e.g. this is how my mother grew up and this was the only way she knew how to parent.  2) From that understanding, accept him/her for who they are for they were doing the best that they could do at that time. 3) Feeling into the compassion for the other.

The first step is more “head” exercise.  The second step is a half head exercise and half heart one.  While the last one really incorporates the heart into it.  I must say it is challenging for me to get to Step #3.

Here is a Tiny Buddha posting on letting go of toxic relationships:

Letting Go of Unhealthy Relationships and Rediscovering Yourself

Mark

• This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by Mark.