My anxiety has been running high this past week or so. I have circumstances/people I can blame it on, but in my personal herstory, the blame game has yet to bring me sustainable relief. My dysfunctions continue to follow me wherever I go and there is always a new target for the blame. Thought I would share the read from the daily meditation reader, "Hope for Today" (gently edited to fit my current circumstances) which seems to be resonating with my current distress.

Begin quote:

Before therapy I allowed the behaviors of others in my life to cause me great unhappiness. While it was true I was suffering, was my pain really their fault? Therapy has taught me to take responsibility for my own happiness.

Early in my recovery, I called members of my support network when I was once again suffering in reaction to another's behavior. During those exchanges, my supporters used an expression that changed the way I respond to relationship difficulties. Once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.

Once I was able to see my suffering as my own reaction to others, I could begin to identify my own contribution to the problem. Sometimes my part is bringing up something that was better left unsaid or starting a serious conversation at an inappropriate time. Other times my part is harboring unrealistic expectations. When I see my part in the pattern, I can choose a response other than suffering.

There is no need for me to suffer because of the behavior of others. I can only change m responses. This sets me free to enjoy my own life.

Thought for the Day

The next time I react to another's behavior, I'll ask myself how many times I've reacted the same way before. If I am always reacting, I am never free.

End quote.

Just sharing. Open discussion for any who care to participate.