” … humans are extremely susceptible to the moods, emotions, and even the ways of thinking of those with whom they spend their time.” ~ Robert Green & Joost Jeffers, The 48 Laws of Power
Difficult Circumstances
Have you ever noticed that after you have been with a really negative person, you feel more negative yourself? Now, there is a huge difference between a negative person, and someone who is naturally positive, but is simply going through some difficult circumstances, like a midlife divorce for example.
During my own midlife divorce, I met regularly with a group of RADiCAL women who were all struggling with negative emotions and moods. And I got more encouragement from those women than they will ever realize.
We did our share of ranting and raving and feeling sorry for ourselves. But we also laughed and got stuff off our chest that we couldn’t easily share with anyone who hadn’t been on the journey of divorce.
Who You Surround Yourself With Matters!
If we are constantly spending time with people who criticize us, put us down, and who are always negative in their attitudes and their thinking, we are naturally going to be negatively affected by that relationship.
During your divorce journey stay in the presence of people who are encouragers, who recognize the joys of life, and who will build you up instead of tear you down. Surround yourself with people who “get it” but want to help you get to a better place, and will be honest in helping you get there.
Remember you are (R)ising (A)bove (D)ivorce (I)n (C)onfidence (A)nd (L)ove. Surround yourself with other positive women who are determined to do the same thing!
Check out the MDR Community, where you can connect with and share with other RADiCAL women. Share, laugh and encourage …. and yes, occasionally cry if you have too. The truth is, by sharing you will feel stronger and you can help others feel stronger, too.
“A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.” ~ Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)
Suzy, this is such an important message. It highlights the difficulty when there is no local group and one’s lawyer has strictly prohibited any electronic discussion of the divorce. When my lawyer set that edict, I was suddenly cut off from all my support. The resulting feeling of isolation was overwhelming. We desperately need community when going through something like this.