Managing trauma symptoms is a great challenge for most wives and partners of CASRD (compulsive abusive sexual-relational disordered) men. They ambush us at awkward times and in awkward places. They accompany the processes and necessary interactions we have with him, his treatment group, our friends, families and communities of faith. In the moment it can be so disorienting that we will try to think our way out of the confusion of feelings and facts. And it never works.
Read MoreLiving in these pandemic days adds another layer of “surreal” to the lives of wives and partners of CASRD men (compulsive abusive sexual-relational disordered) men. Our own trauma symptoms are beginning to be normalized simply by a more common circumstance of real risk, isolation, and a sense of powerlessness.
No, this is not the “something so wonderful” to which the title refers. But for those of us who are working on how to recognize the signs of real hope in our lives (see last week’s blog video link) this can seem like a strange time of terrible anxiety and blinding wonder, both.
Read MoreI’ve written about “hope” before on this blog. I’m a firm believer it.
But hope isn’t hopium. Neither is it just the cloaked way we express our real fears.
Where are you going to find yours?
Read MoreThis week I hit a wall.
It’s not a new wall. It’s the same old wall, made of conversations others have had about me, conclusions drawn about what I said, did, or meant without ever asking me about it, believing the worst about me, and yes, even making stuff up. As a result, communications I actually receive are unnatural, often disrespectful and usually patronizing in the extreme.
Read MoreDear Readers,
Many of you know that my training and experience includes working in post-disaster settings and responding to critical incidents. Wearing those hats, I have been creating resources to inform, equip, and support people as we go through this pandemic together. My partner also has offered his equipment, software and expertise to do these together for free as well.
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