"The Tao of Painful Relationships" by Doreen Virtue

[I Have A Dream]

The Tao of Painful Relationships
by Doreen Virtue
www.angeltherapy.com

I didn’t even flinch when I drove behind a red Honda Accord today. I was so happy and grateful that I felt only peace at the sight of the car.

You see, I once had a business associate who drove a red Honda Accord. When the business relationship ended amid painful misunderstandings, I transferred my pain to red Honda Accords. Each time I’d see a red Accord, my body would flinch and my mind would be flooded with painful memories of the relationship.

As a long-time spirituality student and teacher, I know the importance of forgiveness. A Course in Miracles says, “There can be no form of suffering that fails to hide an unforgiving thought. Nor can there be a form of pain which forgiveness cannot heal.”

I’d done a lot of forgiveness work through my life, and had released toxic anger in most of my relationships. All except the person who drove the red Accord, which my body would remind me of each time I’d see one of these cars. Every time I’d see an Accord, I’d feel tense and upset and all of the painful memories would come flooding back.

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[oxbow]

1. Wonderful read Dream! Thanks for posting!

Nothing very new here for me, but it's always great to hear that other people have been where I'm at, and come through the other side with peace in their hearts.

[I Have A Dream]

2. Same for me, oxbow. I've come to realize that I mostly hurt myself...

when I hold a grudge. I'm sure that you're aware that when we refuse to forgive, there's a connection between us and that person that keeps that person in our lives (now and in future lives). It's my understanding that, by forgiving, that connection is severed forever.

Often, when I forgive, I'm doing it for myself.

[oxbow]

3. Yea, I've been seeing that firstand these days!

I've been in the thick of it with this whole Rawstory vs. Atheists hullaballoo that's been going on, trying to broker a peace between both sides. So many people just wanna hold on to their anger, would rather be right than be happy. I did my best to show the virtues of forgiveness but at this point, I've pretty much washed my hands of the matter. I can't fix anybody but myself...