Wednesday, November 4, 2015

You Are Your Own Teacher

"...everyone has an inner teacher whose authority in his or her life far exceeds my own."
~Parker Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life

So many of you come to this site for answers. Can I get past this? Will he cheat again? Am I a fool for giving him a second chance? How can I stop thinking about the Other Woman? When will I be healed? Why do I want sex with my unfaithful husband? The list goes on. And on.
But I believe that behind the many specific questions is this one: How do I survive this pain?
And though I have plenty of advice to offer, as do a few of my wonderful guest bloggers, the deepest truth is something only you know.
The "how" is personal.
For some of us, the "how" is working to rebuild our marriage.
For others, the "how" is separating to sort things out.
For some, the "how" is by walking away from the marriage.
And within those options, there's plenty of variety around "how".
I confess I feel as if I've been letting some of our newcomers down. I've been busy lately and my responses are, I think, perfunctory. I trot out my usual bromides: I'm so sorry you're here. Please know that his cheating isn't about you but about his own demons. Yes, you can get past this no matter what he does or doesn't do. No it's not going to be quick. And, always, be gentle with yourself. You're walking a tough road and it serves nobody to beat yourself up. 
And while I stand behind every word I say, I wish I had the time to let each of you that I read your words and wish that this was easier for each of us. I want each of you to know that you have found a place where you are welcome and valued and heard.
But what I wish each of us knew from the beginning is that you already know what's right for you. You are your own teacher. This is why it's so important for you to learn to pay attention to what's inside your own heart and mind. You'll no doubt find yourself responding, physically, to some of the comments on this site. Yes! Those are MY feelings, you might think. One woman's approach to her husband's refusal to answer her questions might help you clarify your own thoughts around that. Another's suggestion about how she stopped obsessing about the Other Woman might seem like something you could try.
But you must know that there isn't a one-size-fits-all response to surviving infidelity. Rather by giving ourselves the attention we need, we can begin to cultivate that inner teacher in a way that, perhaps, we haven't.
What's more, it puts the rest of us in the position that we should all and always be: That of compassionate witnesses to your pain. Cheerleaders to your healing. 
I don't have all the answers, nor does anyone else. Whether you should stay or go or sit and think about it for a month or a year is a choice for you to make based on what feels like the next right step for you and your family. None of us has to live with your choice. You do.
And if your teacher needs coaxing out, begin by paying attention to where that wisdom shows up in your body. Your gut? Your head? Your hands? What happens physically when you imagine making certain choices? Notice.
And then acknowledge that wisdom. You've had it all along.

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for this Elle. Some days I wish someone else did have the answers but I know, however hard it is to accept, that I am the only one with who can and will make the decision. It's been a few months since d day. We are separated and have a small child. I am taking my time, watching my husband and listening to myself. I still don't know yet what my choice will be, at this point it really could go either way. But I know ultimately only i will know what to do, because at some point my heart & mind will tell me if I'll be happier with or without him.

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  2. Thank you Elle. And know this ... with my very first post here of tremendous pain, you answered me, and I wept. Really? There is someone ... and as the other ladies chimed in ... many someones that got me, that knew what I was going through. I will be forever grateful. Tomorrow I will post again.

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  3. Oh, one more thing. Just so you all know that both my therapist and my husband ask about you or refer to you every once in a while. My therapist noted during our discussion about the grieving that she felt that by my participating in this blog it has certainly helped in my healing process. And my husband will ask sometimes when he sees me on my phone reading he will say are you with your blog ladies? How are they doing? I wish all people who have the unfortunate experience of learning of an affair in their marriage… I wish they all could know Elle, this blog and all of you ladies. My heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of you <3

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    1. Melissa,
      I hope you know how much you've contributed to the environment here -- of acceptance and compassion and support. We're the richer for having you among us.

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  4. Elle, I actually posted three times ... the second one was quite lengthy, yet it is not here? It seemed to have gone through fine?

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    1. Melissa,
      I'm not sure what happened. I didn't find your posts in the spam folder either. I know Steam has said that sometimes her comments vanish in the "Captcha" part of the process. I wish I was more techy and knew what to suggest. Sorry!

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    2. Ok, thanks. One day I will revisit it ...

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  5. I second what Melissa said. This is the only place where I felt like people actually knew what I was going through. I've saved several things that you and others said to me. Thank you for giving me a haven and a support group! I constantly marvel that you are strong enough to continue to do what you do.

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    Replies
    1. I used to complain to my therapist that I was sick to death of discovering how "strong" I could be. However, it seems to be our lot, ladies, to discover our hidden strength. ;)

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  6. just wanted to add how much this site has meant to me. The articles posted and the responses have helped me so much. This whole piece about being my"own" teacher. I was becoming critical of my husband because he hasn't sought answers and information, he has been listening to what I have read, and that should be encouraging.I really like the part of coaxing your teacher out, as far as how that wisdom has been showing up in your body, and then listening. Thank you for this blog, I wish I didn't need it so much.

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  7. I have to write this down I'm feeling so desperate one of my no sleep night . Love this blog it's helped me so much . My h cheated on me with his nurse he's a dentist she was 21 he 54 . I've been through hell and so have my children but I can't get her out of my head I want revenge on her so much she walked away clean and with six thousand pounds of our money which she pays back at a hundred pounds a month i realise it's not all her fault but all I do is think of how they and he lied to me like it was all a piece of fun I want to write to her mother and tell her what a nasty little bitch her daughter is they are Jehovah witnesses I've been on the website she's not suppose to do that she got forgiven by the elders apparently but of course I've had so many lies I can't believe a thing he's told me we are so much better now I think if I can allow myself that happiness , I still want revenge . She's left where he works but I find her on the local dentists website of course I'm looking she live 2 miles from my house so I avoid the nearest town in case she's there I don't want to be scared anymore I'm so sad .

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  8. Can't sleep need to talk so here I am my h had an affair with a 21 yr old he's 54 it's been a year since I found out we are trying . I want revenge she's got away with six thousand pounds of our money she paying it back 100 pounds per month she been forgiven by her Jehovah witness group I want to fuck her life up I want my money back I want her to hurt like I do I want her not sleep and cry all night like I do what can I do I don't want to feel like this anymore .

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