February 13th was a particularly difficult day for me as my best friend moved 3000 miles away to start a new life with her love whom she found again after a 20 period where they both went on and had lives.
Now I knew for a year that this was a possibility but when it really happens, a piece of you wants to stop it - yes she is over the moon happy and you want that, but...... if there is a chance maybe you could talk her out of it.... DIDN'T HAPPEN SHE WENT ANYWAY!
On that day, as I sat in my office crying my eyes out... it was my mother who talked me into just buying a ticket and going, so I did, I bought a ticket for 2 months later on her birthday as a surprise... and here I am right now...
The thing is - she is not happy - she is terrible turmoil, trying to find a place for herself and her and her beau well.... arguing all the time.
She feels guilty about everyone, the family she left behind, the friends who constantly dig and tell her to come home, the love of her life having huge adjustment problems, his 17 year old daughter, her own grown kids back in Ontario, her ex husband who just got back from Afganastan as a mechanic on the army base and herself giving up her business and coming here.
As we were talking it hit me like a ton of bricks that we are only responsible for how we feel and not for others, We can not possibly think ourselve the center of everyone elses universe and that we have the power to fix everything for everyone.
A choice is made for yourself -good, bad or ugly, you did it... and you feel it was the best one at the moment, you accept responsibility for your choices, pick up your socks and get on with it. However the trouble starts when you feel guilty about how someone else is going to react to your choice!
I asked her a question that set things into a different perspective for her " Don't you think it very arrogant of you to think that you are soley reponsible for everyone's feelings, thoughts and happiness?"
She was actually quiet as she pondered this and sat up to face me (uh oh) and said " wow, you are so right." A huge burden had just been lifted from her shoulders. She felt free again, free to be herself.
Others, yes she or you would never intentially hurt anyone however our own feelings, thoughts and choices are not up for discussion to be chosen by others....
So I ask you " Whose feelings are you TRULY responsible for?"
Live Loudly!
Tina Dezsi, Author The Power of Women United
www.powe.ca