Saturday. I woke up this morning with an image in my mind that won’t
go away. So I thought if I gave it a
voice it may have more to teach me. It has to do with my personal journey
through domestic violence. It was certainly not a journey that I planned for
myself, but once the engine pulled out of the station, picking up speed ~ it
was hard to jump off the train.
I have spent the past few months working on a piece of
“unfinished business” that bubbled to the surface through a series of seemingly
unrelated events. Actually it was brought to my attention by my life coach who
listened to me ramble on about the random chaos of my life; a disappointing experience with my male
housemate, patchy communication with my son, and yet .. forever optimistic ….
my desire for a new relationship. Yes, I believe I am finally ready.
It was she who finally named the elephant in the room. With
her help I have been looking at my relationships with the men in my life ~~
from the very beginning to the present. It has been interesting and sometimes painful;
sorting through what is important, what needs to be transformed, and what needs
to be let go.
This morning’s vision was a red stain on white carpet. It was curious and when I stepped back I saw
a scene unfold before me. I was in a
living room ~ and I knew it was my living room although I have never lived in a
house with white carpet. Someone had spilled dark red wine. They apologized
profusely and even as I quickly found things to mop up the mess I was assuring
them that it was alright, that everything would be all right. But I was lying. I knew the carpet was ruined and would never
be the same again. I had the carpet professionally cleaned and the spot looked
like it really had disappeared. But by that evening, after the workmen had
left, the carpet began to dry and stain popped out again. And every time the
carpet was cleaned the spot faded away a little more, until it was so slight
that only I knew it was there. Maybe it isn’t really there anymore! Can you see
it? Maybe I only see it because I
remember where it happened.
That is what domestic violence feels like. There were many
stains …. but it was such a long, long time ago. I cleaned and cleaned that damn carpet. I even
sat a coffee table over the top and could walk right by without even thinking
about it. I thought the stain had
finally disappeared … but here it is again. This is what unfinished business
looks like.
Of course there are elements of forgiveness ~ for myself and
others.
But what about wiping the slate clean and forgetting all
about it. Is that the answer? Is it even realistic? Does time heal all wounds?
For me, the answer is “Yes, but” … which quietly dissolves into “No, not
really.”
And so here is where I am today. I realize that stain
happened a long time ago to a young girl who had few skills and very little
protection. But today I am a very different person. My forgiveness, offered
many years ago, is still sincere. What to do next? I booked an energy
session with a friend to clear and remove blocked and harmful energy patterns
that no longer serve me. I have studied hard, learned many things, yet often
stopped to smell the roses. I know honest lovely men, most of them married to
dear friends of mine, but I enjoy their company and know there are more men out
there like them. Today I walk with my head up, laugh easily, and am surrounded by friends I can trust to be there for me.
I believe the white carpet is my own young innocence. The "red" stain is the anger I felt deeply and never fully acknowledged. Stains happen, so do miracles. Talking with a qualified coach and receiving
energy work allowed me to move through the process with much more understanding;
deeper and quicker and with more direction.
And I know now that I can choose to pull the cord, stop the train and step off,
thusly … moving forward with grace.
Blessed
be.