Living a Lie....

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Have you ever lived a lie?  There was a period in my life where I was.  Although I denied it for a long time.  Then when unhappiness was taking over and consuming my life... I realized that I was living a lie.  However... eventually, as with most lies... the truth came out.  Here is my story:

My ex-husband and I were together for 15 years.  Married for 13 of those.  It had been a very rough ride from the very beginning.  We should had remained friends and raised our son as a team, instead of getting married.  At the time, we both wanted to be a family and 'make things right' we thought. 

I cared about my husband and I feel I was a good wife, while being the best mother I could be.  We all do our best, right?  However I never had that deep, trusting, soul connecting and understanding love that I know I should have had.  Then when things in our marriage continued to be full of turmoil and even abuse... what feelings I had faded until there was nothing left but emptiness and sorrow. 

After a while I felt I was just going through the motions.  Other people looking at me from the 'outside' thought I had a normal, happy family and marriage.  Because for one, I didn't tell anyone anything that was really going on behind closed doors back then.  The truth was... I was far from happy and my marriage was not a loving, trusting, supportive one.  I was living a lie.  Which in a sense was because I would try to care, try hard to make us a happy family, mostly... I would try to love him.  I even said I did .... and every time I felt enormous guilt. 

He wasn't 'all bad' of course... no one is.  He was a good provider financially and took care of things outside of the house; yard and vehicles.  He always allowed me to take care of the boys the way I saw best, taking care of our home the way I wanted, able to stay home with the boys and have a home daycare for extra money... even when he worked nights and had to sleep during the day.  I appreciated my son's dad for those things very, very much and always told him that. 

However, along with feeling no love in my heart and the continued verbal and emotional abuse...  I moved further and further away from feeling anything.  All it seemed he wanted to do was argue and fight... all the time.  Just to get what he wanted and to get it his way.. no matter what.   He didn't care if the kids heard the horribly things he said or if they got in the way.  He could be very manipulative and blamed me for 'making' him mad when I didn't agree with something.

"Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you.” ~ Dr. Joyce Brothers

Somehow the times when things got abusive, were always my fault according to him.  I truly believe that either consciously or subconsciously, he did and said things in front of the kids because he knew how much that upset and even devastated me.  I grew up with my parents fighting most of the time; so it was the 'last' environment I ever wanted for my own children to grow up in.  This was the 'bright red button he pushed' to upset me even more. 

I felt back then that he wanted to fight because he had to have complete control of me.  When I didn't agree with something or didn't want him to do something that I knew he shouldn't, he would start a fight as a way of wearing me down.  Like a child does when they want something their parent has told them 'No' or it's too dangerous.  At times this computer IT professional, school board member and sport ref and coach... could be very immature.  In my opinion at least. 

That last year together I was so tired and so done.  I never wanted to fight, I grew up with that.  And I certainly didn't want to fight anymore in front of my children.  I remember locking my self in the bathroom with the shower running trying to drawn out his yelling, abusive insults and pounding at the door.  While I sat on the floor shaking, crying and praying for him to stop.  I just wanted the fighting to stop! 

Realistic or not, I would like to live the rest of my life without ever 'fighting' again.  I know I will never live in a situation where or with someone who wants to fight or has to get their way all the time.  That's not realistic or normal.  Life is too short to be so unhappy... let alone be in an abusive and/or loveless relationship.

Which brings me to what ended up being the hardest time for me at the end of my marriage.  It was telling my husband that I didn't love him anymore. That he had killed whatever feelings I had had for him.  There was no 'unconditional love'  from either of us by that point.  So I felt I needed to be honest, for both my own conscious and to lay the foundation for my wanting a divorce.

"Life is too short not to love and be loved!!  Nor not to be in a great loving relationship with someone who not only brings out the best in you... but also fills your heart and soul with happiness!" ~ Me...

At first, he would not 'accept' how I felt or didn't feel.  Then he refused to, or couldn't, accept that it was because of anything that he did.  He decided that there must be someone else.  What??!!  I would have had the time, energy, self-esteem for that...When?!  No... I barely had the emotional balance to get up in the morning by then and all the energy I had through out the day was trying to keep my job and take care of my sons.  I was so drained and again so done!  In fact I was told later that I was 'cold' and wasn't trying anymore. 

Well, I thought.. he's right, I wasn't trying anymore.. because I had and nothing had changed.  I was done.  Maybe that is why I seemed cold, because I was finally done.  I think that is the emotional calm when you are ready and need to take care of things and more on.  Mostly for yourself, but in my situation I needed to also move on for my sons.  The fighting and yelling had never been good for them and my youngest was being pulled in as a pawn, I felt.  That was probably my breaking point when I realized just how much damage was being done to my children.

"Many times people stay in bad or loveless marriages because of the fear of the 'unknown' and because at least is has a sense of familiarity. Some people feel that is better than nothing.  I would rather be alone and happy, than to be with someone whom I'm not happy with." ~ Me..

Finally, over time, I got stronger and less afraid of leaving. Less afraid of the 'unknown', the financial realities and less afraid of his threats... what he would or wouldn't do.  He could be very unpredictable and obviously out of control at times.

I was also becoming much more confident in my self.  Confident that I could take care of my boys and that I could stand up to whatever lies he would say later in court, or what dramas he would cause or play out in the small community in which we not only lived, but also both of us grew up in.  That is when I was so ready to have peace in my life and home.  I was finally able to let myself be just a little be selfish and think a little bit about myself for once in regards to my own happiness.   

I always put my children first or consider what any decision, one way or the other, would effect my children.  It was hard for me not to... that is the type of parent I am. They were always my main concern and responsibility.  However in the end, I felt that I had to finally think about myself, and my own happiness at least a little bit.. to do what I needed to do.  Otherwise, I may have never left or been truly happy with my life.. ever. 

I don't regret trying though.  Not at all.  I can honestly say that I did try and anyone who knew me then knows that.  Even my ex-husband realizes that now.  After all these years we finally get along... although apart.  Letting go of the past and forgiving releases us, which allows us to move forward into a better life.

I've known many people in the same situation... where a tiny bit of selfishness and a little bit of concern for their own happiness... would actually do them a great deal of good.  However I understand first hand how hard that is for those with the heart and character that put their children first (like I have).  I respect and understand what they are going through and love those persons so very much... for who they are. I understand!

Many people never make that decision.  The decision that life is too short to live in an unhappy home or be in a loveless marriage.  This is the reason I now write and tell these personal stories of my own life.  In the hope of giving strength, encouragement and  the belief that any situation can get better.  That we can all get stronger, heal, grow, have a better life and above all Be Happy!  We all deserve to be happy!

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.” ~ Quote from Thinkexist.com

More Powerful Post:
Betrayal has many forms...
Living the Truth
Silencing Verbal Abuse

The Narcissistic Co-dependent Marriage/Relationship Symptoms

Manipulative People: Covert Aggressive Personality Disorder

 

Falling in Love for All the Right Reasons

I recently read the book "Falling in Love for All Right Reasons" by Neil Clark Warren. He is the co-founder of eHarmony. He goes through the 29 dimensions of relationship compatibility. The main characterizes are in regards to values, character, mindset, temperament, and attitudes toward parenting.

Nowhere in the 29 dimensions does he mention either age or location. Yet most people pick someone to be in a relationship with based on one or both of those 2 things. Location especially seems to be a top priority for many people, just because it’s easier and more convenient.

I have always thought that after high school or 21, that age is just a number. So it was extremely interesting that age was also not one of the 29 dimensions.

The men I've dated have been a variety of ages. With none of them has age ever been a determination of their maturity, respect for others, values or morals.. In fact in my experience, age has nothing to do the character of a person or their compatibility to anyone.

The book is very good and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand relationships and why some couples last and why some end up being polar opposites and get divorced.  Which is ok in my oppion, becasue I beleive people have a right to be happy.

So find the right person for you, fall in love for all the right reasons and above all "Be Happy"!
"Falling in Love for All the Right Reasons" by Neil Clark Warren.

Should Unhappy Parents stay together for their Children? I say No...

My childhood was full of fighting, yelling, name calling and constant turmoil.  My parents were polar opposites who should have never been married, let alone stayed together 'for the kids'.  My dad was a good provider and a kind man, but he had a 'weekend' drinking problem sometimes.  My mother was just very unhappy, and that's what I remember most about her growing up.  At the time I didn't understand why she was so unhappy, but now I do.  I wish my parents had gotten divorced and been happy.

There has always been a Hugh debate on whether parents should stay together for their children.   

A recent on-line discussion at Fluther.com Should a couple ever stay together for the kids? has dozens of people giving their opinions and own stories. Few seem to feel that parents should stay together and most stories tell of unhappy childhoods and relationship problems later as a result.

Another website with opposite stories and opinions, is on the Daily Mail Do parents who stay together cause their children more harm? I wish my parents had divorced. I can totally relate to the first story and although the second author has a positive twist, I still don't feel she was better off.

I know many people who have experienced the damage themselves, as either children raised in unhappy homes or as parents who have experienced living in an unhappy marriage. I personally have experienced both. It's a cycle I finally broke and thankfully learned from.

Unfortunately many couples stay together for money reasons above all else. While money concerns are real, all the money in the world cannot make up for lack of 'peace' in a home.

I personally feel that unhappy parents should not stay together for their children. It's a proven fact that children who either hear verbal fighting and/or see physical fighting; have significant emotional and psychological damage; effecting many aspects in their life; especially their future relationships.

In my own personal experience, it caused much more damage than good. My parents stayed together because of money, and the effects on my self-esteem and relationship issues were horrific.  As an adult, I ended up in several controlling, abusive and dysfunctional relationships.  It took me a long time to overcome the anxiety and negative influences of seeing, hearing and experiencing the drama and even traumatic experiences that I was taught as a child, were normal and OK.

I now realize that people in these situations want to 'believe' those things, because the don't see a way out and justifying, making excuses and believing what they choose to, is one way they 'cope' and get through each day.

I remember after my own divorce, the feeling of 'calm' in the house and how my sons were more relaxed and happier.  My only regret was not giving my children a 'peaceful' home sooner than I did, because even 8 years later, I can still see the negative effects of exposing them to the drama they heard and saw for far too long.  I regret that more than anything else in my life.

More on this subject:
Staying for the kids sake
Can Unhappy Parents Raise Happy Children?
Together for the kids
Living a Lie

The Narcissistic Co-dependent Marriage/Relationship Symptoms

What Most Men Really Want from a Date.

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I started dating about five years ago and it’s been one learning experience after another.

I realized rather quickly that most men don’t ask me out because they know I’m ‘special’.  And even fewer men want to really get to know ‘me’ on the inside. Most of these charming men just want to sleep with me.

They quickly discover that I’m looking for a genuine ‘relationship’ and not one based solely on physical attraction. Although the physically part of a relationship is important, I am looking for good character and similar values, morals and faith. I want a relationship built on a foundation of trust, respect and friendship. I am not settling for less.

Few men seem to understand what I’m talking about when I try to explain it to them. So I usually end up saying “I need some darn good reasons to take the estrogen and shave my legs” and that they haven’t given me any.  That usually gives them the hint that I’m not interested in them. 

I am very traditional and conservative in my beliefs. I love taking care of my family, home and being involved in all my children’s activities. I want a man who also enjoys those same ‘family’ values and activities. And I would love to be in a relationship where we take care of each other.

When I find a man with character, the same values, enjoys the same things and treats me like a ‘lady’, that will be the man for me. I believe it’s worth the wait for that ‘ONE’! 

Finding that 'ONE' right man.

After my divorce several years ago, I started meeting new friends and going out.  I quickly rememembered why I didn’t date much in high school.  Because dating can be uncomfortible and even scary at times. 

In the last 5 years I have dated quite a bit. Most have only been 1st dates, where I knew right away they were not the ‘ONE’ I was looking for. So I didn’t accept another date. Others I thought could be, so I went on a few more dates. I then either realized I didn’t feel what I should. Or I saw red flags, and RAN!

At times I’ve been told that I don’t give even the nice guys a chance. So I've gone on some second dates, just to make sure they were not the ‘One’. But that has never changed my initial intuition or gut feeling.  It has only confused and hurt some good men. Which is never my intention and I always feel bad when that happens.

I dated one man who was very nice, but who lived 2 hours away.  At that time in my life, I didn’t have the strength or energy for a long distance relationship. Another man I dated a few times seemed very nice at first.  I quickly realized that he was controlling and manipultive.  He just didn't want to be alone and wanted someone to take care of him.  Actually, I've met more than a few men like that the last 5 years.

Several other men I briefly went out with were very angry and bitter toward their ex-wives or girlfriends. I don’t want someone who is angry or bitter.  Life is too short for that.  So I knew right away that none of them were the 'one' for me either.

Then of course there were the smooth, sweet talking men who were only after one thing. These men were all very self-centered with little or no real respect for women. They go from one pretty flower to the next with no intention of building a lasting relationship. These types of men get angry when a woman wants to wait until she is sure where the relationship is going.  Men like this are never the 'one' for any women.  This is why all women should have ‘rules’ or standards if you will.  Having standards gets rid of men like this very quickly.

I believe there should be more depth and meaning in a relationship than just self gratification and living in the moment. ~ “If you’re not worth the wait, it’s a sure sign they are NOT the ‘ONE’!” ~Me

Another complaint I've heard is that I’m too picky.  I disagree with that perspective too.  It's not that I'm too critical.  It's that I know exactly what qualities I’m looking for in a man.  There is a difference!  In the past I have lacked self-esteem and almost settled for less than what I deserve.  So a few years ago I raised the bar.  Since then some men have argued that my ‘bar’ is set too darn high! My response to that is ‘it’s about time’!

I’m an extremely passionate person, with emotions that run very deep.  That is who I am!  I want to be with someone who appreciates those characteristics and truely understands me! Someone with similar beliefs, family values and a positive attitude!  A man with the same heart and soul as myself, if at all possible.  I’m waiting for that ‘ONE’!

"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." ~Sam Keen