"She was afraid to come out of the locker!" - Itsy Bitsy, Teenie Weenie, Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini
You may not be hiding in the locker because of your outfit, but how about because of some other fear or uncertainty?
In the beginning of the year, I was given some very good advice, which I didn't act upon until recently. Part of me thought I was on the right track. Another part was afraid that by implementing the suggestion, it would negatively affect the outcome. Not so.
Sometimes, we fight against good advice, defending a position which no longer serves who we are or where we want to be.
Your thoughts?
Let me throw the ball right back at you. You know my current stress is entirely due to my care giving role to my father. I get advise from all and sundry all the time that I should think of myself first and arrange for him to go into an old people’s home. This is against my conscience as, despite all that he has done to my late mother, me and my siblings, he is still my father who was used to a standard of living which no home in India will be able to give him. Do I follow the advise, or do I carry on bravely letting the dice fall where they will? It is a sacrifice. No one admires me for that, but every one who knows him and the background to our relationship feels sorry for me and thinks that I am daft.
DO I want to be undafted? Or am I a masochist really enjoying the stress?
Ramana,
Well, Ramana, that’s a question I can’t answer for you. It’s tough because it’s laden with obligation, duty, love, regret, forgiveness, acceptance, fatigue, self-care, responsibility and whole host of other things.
Deep down I think you know the answer. In these situations, I find it helpful to talk with someone who will listen without giving you advice. (Seems like you have lots of that, already.) There is something that occurs when you are able to hear your voice, as opposed to just have it rumble around in your head.