Shorts: Petting the Cactus

19: Opinions

Today I recognize my choices for what they were—an unfortunate and unskillful habit of treating how I felt like a directive. I realize how often, in intimate and vulnerable relationships, I responded with a habituated neurological urge to pursue what I considered comfortable feelings while avoiding the discomfort.

18: Sex.

There are places I remain frozen in the past.

An outcome of my marriage and the last several relationships is I feel as if I am sexually wrecked. I feel frozen between desire and doubt, analysis and paralysis, ambition and silence

12: Broken Cups

The Thing always breaks where the bonds are weakest, not strongest.

11: Slaves and Heroes

I have no obligation to anyone to be the same today as I was a year ago or even 15 minutes ago. I have the right to shed the ideas, opinions, behaviors, and beliefs I held even a short time ago when I realize they aren’t working for me.

Thoughts on The Cost of Feigning Intimacy

In truth, I didn’t value myself either, and as such I acted accordingly. Like Reese Piper, “I didn’t realize what it would cost me” to try to be everything for others leaving little for myself.

63: Pursuing Vulnerability

What matters is my commitment to change and not what others think of my intentions or motivations. I get up every morning and ask myself, “What is my truth to own today?”

14: A Love Letter to the Betrayers – Intent vs Impact

By deferring to my intentions I am essentially saying, “Yes I hear you hurt, but you shouldn’t hurt because that wasn’t my intention.” It carries the same intentions when someone say, “If you really cared you wouldn’t have cheated.”

14: A Love Letter to the Betrayers – Intent vs Impact

38: It Ain’t Me Babe

If you love someone you have to be open to hurting them and accept responsibility. If you love someone you have to be open to let them hurt you and accept that responsibility too. That is adulting. That is what it means to be vulnerable.