One way to be sure you’re in a situation that isn’t right for you is to find yourself acting in ways that aren’t who you are. I don’t mean the times when you stretch and try new things. I mean, when you find yourself thinking – or worse doing- things that are out of character for you.
I’ve been doing that.
Something happened in FairyLand that I didn’t really like. It was out of my control and I got angry. When I’m angry, the girl from da hood comes out. I want to hit people. I didn’t, actually, do what I wanted to do, which was hit someone in the face. That level of anger should have alerted me that this situation was bad for me. I am not a violent woman. I *don’t* want to hit anyone. In the moment, the fleeting moment, it might feel good, but the aftermath does not feel good.
The situation wound down, or so I thought, yet the anger persisted. New things happened, at least one other person got involved and I was so spun up that I said things that I don’t even mean. I said them because I was angry. No, that isn’t true. I wasn’t angry. I was hurt. I felt betrayed, both by the other person involved and by myself.
I won’t tell you all why I feel betrayed by her. I will tell you why I felt I betrayed my-own-self.
For a short time, for a few months, I was not true to who I am. I did not live my life the way *I* believe my life should be lived. I was judgmental and bitchy. I said things that bear no relationship to the things I value in my life. The conflict between what I believe and what I was doing left me vulnerable.
There are three quotes by which I live my life. They are:
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. – Mother Teresa
and
A woman should be two things: classy and fabulous. – Coco Chanel
and
Our thoughts are prayers. – a New Thought song.
I have forgotten that we all belong to each other, that we are all connected. I have not been classy or fabulous and I forgot that our thoughts are prayers. I acted as if what I was doing could be tightly controlled by me. I acted as if I was not connected to the others who would be affected by this situation and as if my choices didn’t affect them. It is never classy or fabulous to behave in ways that don’t align with your beliefs, still less so to lie to yourself about your behavior. To make excuses to yourself, to try to *justify* things that you *know* aren’t good for you, or good for anyone.
I have been living fully out of alignment with the way *I* think I should live my life, with the way that I normally am. I am normally peaceful and loving.
So, today, I sent a message of love to the person who hurt me, by whom I feel betrayed. I told her that I hoped she gets everything she wants, that she finds peace, and that she has a happy, healthy marriage.
I don’t really mean it. But I will keep saying it, keep praying it, until I do.
The Femme Fairy Godmother is the alterego of a Michigan femme who loves to give (mostly unsolicited) advice to everyone regardless of sexual orientation. Also, the FFG has an overwhelming urge to mother everyone. And by mother I mean tell you how to live your life.
kerie
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:44 am
It takes a lot of courage to admit to mistakes of a very personal nature…you’re one hell of a woman baby!
Jude
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Live, learn, become an even better person from the experience and be that classy woman that you wear so well.
Scintillectual
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Now THERE is the woman I know and love with all my heart. Your true nature is what makes you the best friend I’ve ever had in all of my adult life and could ever hope to have — the woman who is closer to me than my own sister (well, okay, the postman is closer to me than my own sister, but you get the sentiment). We all have our moments when we get caught up in the “what might be’s” rather than the “this is what it really is and it’s not all that great’s.” How many times have you bailed my ass out of total misery when I kept sinking back into habits and patterns that were so very wrong for me? Unfortunately, I wasn’t living out of character and I’ve had to begin to live true to myself. You, on the other hand, have the insight and spirit to realize that you were acting outside of yourself and have taken steps toward forgiving yourself and forgiving others. Let the rest go…you are all that matters, darling, and you ARE classy and fabulous! I wouldn’t have you any other way.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
lesbo
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
i love this part, “I don’t really mean it. But I will keep saying it, keep praying it, until I do.”
you’re dealing with a lot and it’s all part of the process.
this is a great post
Miss Terioso
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
::hums our thoughts are prayers for you in spite of the fact that she hates that song:: That’s how you know how much I love you.
pixie
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 am
*sighs* i’ve SO been there .. I will love her until eternity’s end, but I will feel hurt and betrayed …. and unforgiving, just as long.
Sends you lots of pixie wishes, and strength, that you find that “I mean it” moment .. and more power to you for knowing that you want it!!
HUGS pixie
saintchick
December 24th, 2009 at 1:22 am
I think you are doing a wonderful job in the face of all the other bullshit…
Akki
December 29th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I woke up this morning with the knowing that I am not the center of any universe, perhaps other than my own. And to be tbe center of my universe, things have to orbit around me, not be attached to me and spin with me, but line up in some predictable pattern, not the random way things would look if no one was the center of the universe. Weird, I just feel better lifting the pressure off. Even a spinning planet is open to the random torpedo called a comet. Nothing is as it seems and control is an illusion. I wish I could have a drink.
Akki
December 31st, 2009 at 1:10 am
FFG, do you find me intense?
G
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Sorry it took me so long to comment. It takes courage, insight and more than a little humility to take this kind of perspective on your life, so you have my respect.
Have you read The Anatomy of Peace? It’s very interesting and teaches that true peace comes from acting in alignment with your core beliefs and values. This post reminded me of that.
It will get easier.
Martini CJ
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 pm
You are one classy lady.