A long time ago, in what now seems another life, I met at a conference an older trainer, who taught me to get out of the relationships that are causing me pain. Back then, she seemed old to me, even though she must have been around 50, not more; however, when you are 30, your youth seems to be eternal. I remember how she would categorically say that, whether it is a business or a personal relationship, I should put an end to it and leave it behind as fast as possible. Her image stayed with me as she pounded the table and said: ‘Not good? Next! Not good again? Next!’
It seemed too harsh for me back then and obviously I was not able to implement this life philosophy. I stayed in relationships and struggled until I felt physically ill many times, because I always had the impression that I would make things work, that I should not abandon something too easily. However, I was lucky not to fall seriously ill. I know people who somatised and ended up with diseases.
Our body gives us alarm signals, sometimes milder, sometimes more serious. We do not listen, sometimes for years on end, because we want to fight, we oppose it, we can’t see reality clearly, not even when someone else puts a mirror in front of us.
Having now reached a similar age as that Australian lady, I am thinking that it would be good to close some chapters, and open others. In the long run, from these two months of isolation we should come out more connected with ourselves, making better choices and having more courage. Yesterday, I got sick like I used to in the old days. I have been avoiding closing some chapters and now they are turning against me. It is like the video with Debbie Ford where she says that the grievances we try to contain are similar to large balls we try to keep under water. When they bounce back, they will create quite a splash.
What chapter would you like to close but you cannot get yourself to do it/ you are afraid of what others might think/ you do not have the courage/ you do not know how?
