Ironically, I saw the look this past week in an unlikely, but stunning face. I saw her gentleness – as did the pathological that was in her life. Your 'super traits' of empathy, tolerance, caring and compassion are what make you the wonderful girl you are. It has also been target traits for pathological individuals. You can just see the gentleness in the face.
Then I saw her powerlessness.
The look like you don't know if you will ever get out, ever survive, ever find your power again. It feels as if you are being held against your will – when you remember once that you were so different – so self-assured, confident, and capable.
Many people have seen the face of unbelievable stress and worry – when you no longer trust your own judgment, ping-pong back and forth between loving and loathing him. When you can't concentrate, focus, sleep, or even want to get up each day.
But, the greatest thing about doing this work is when women really 'get it' about pathology. When they understand that what's wrong with him has nothing to do with her, and what she did or didn't do. When she gets that 'wild-eyed look' that says her reality has shifted, and she realizes that what has happened to her is simply that she's been knee-deep in pathology, and she is powerful enough to walk away.
I love that part – the paradigm shift – when women turn the corner in understanding, and her whole future opens up like a flower blooming.
Over the years, I have watched hundreds of women storm off into their future having recaptured their lives, their dignity, their ability to function well, and their self-belief. It's a beautiful and strong presence when you get to witness that happen.
Why all of the horse photos? This is Rachel Alexandra – I love her expressive face. She is a reminder to me of all the women I have worked with. She was the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness. It awed me to see her many faces of gentleness, powerlessness, worry, thriving, and power. It reminded me that even though so much is often against you in your race to recovery from pathology, that you too like Rachel Alexandra, can defy the odds even when they have been stacked that way for 85 years! There really is something to be said for the power of belief, destiny, and desire. I believe in you!
A few times a year we offer those face-to-face events through retreats. In 2012 we reduced them to two a year which were in February and March. We have gotten a number of requests for one more retreat this year which we have organized and in which there is ONE remaining slot. The Healing the Aftermath of Pathological Love Relationships Retreat is Sept 2-7, 2012 in beautiful Brevard, NC the Land of the Waterfalls, 20+ hours of soul-healing group sessions, plus the restorational value of hiking, beauty, the forests, and waterfalls. Application downloads are on the magazine website.
If you feel the recovery approaches you have been utilizing are not effective, do consider the retreats which have been used by dozens and dozens of women to bring rapid results to their cognitive dissonance, anxiety, and stress disordered symptoms. I hope you will join us for the soul restoration you are craving.
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Gender Disclaimer: The issues The Institute writes about are mental health issues. They are not gender issues. Both females and males have the types of Cluster B disorders we often refer to in our articles. Our readership is approximately 90% female therefore we write for those most likely to seek out our materials. We highly support male victims and encourage others who want to provide support to male victims to encompass the issues we discuss only from a female perpetrator/male-victim standpoint. Cluster B Education is a mental health issue applicable to both genders.
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