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Joy Stealers — How to be a VictimBy Dawn Obrecht, M.D.
In the last article in this series we talked about those Joy-Stealers who add their own little twist to the happiness of others all year long, not just at this potentially joy-filled time of year. If there is one of these in your life, what is your part? Why not boot them out, either emotionally or physically? We see what is wrong with them: negativity, perfectionism, unrealistic expectations and the need to discount you with twisted, backhanded comments. But...what is wrong with YOU for allowing them into your life? If you are in a relationship that is not supportive, it is undoubtedly because it is familiar and reminds you of one from your childhood. How is your current negative relationship (might be spouse, but could be friend, coworker, sibling or other relative) similar to an old one? Think hard about the similarities, usually in how you feel when you are around this individual. Is your tall, red-headed, educated, Irish Catholic spouse at all like your short, dark, high-school dropout Jewish parent? Could be the same person, different package. My point is that we human beings attract people unconsciously because that is what is imbedded from an early age. Not until we have begun to recover from our pasts, do we develop the capacity to intentionally choose who we want to be and who we allow into our lives. Those who were emotionally abused as children, even by well-meaning parents, have a joy-deprived history. Maybe your parents didn't compliment your grades or athletic or artistic performance because they thought it was best for you to try harder instead of being proud of what you could do. (Not mutually exclusive). They thought pushing you to do more was helping you and in their confusion they withheld love. Maybe they were emotionally (obsessive-compulsive, alcoholic or just cold) or physically (sick, workaholic) absent. The unintended consequence was a communication that you were not good enough. As an adult, you still doubt your worth, so you allow others to slam you with that same message. There are other types of people: kind, encouraging, complimentary, satisfied with themselves, therefore with you...and so on. Again, I urge regrouping and looking at life...your own...no matter what your age or profession. Pull back, look at your choices, look at yourself, and decide where you are going. It's never too late to have a happy future, but you may have to work for it. Caution: if you are in early recovery from alcoholism or anything else, WAIT. There will be time after the initial changes of clearing the fog from years of mind-altering. Early recovery is not a good time to make major logistical changes such as divorce, marriage, moving, changing jobs...unless you cannot stay clean and sober until you do make some of those changes. My prayer for you is that you have a Joy Filled Life, starting NOW!
Dr. Dawn Obrecht is the only MD addiction medicine specialist on the western slope of Colorado. She is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and her office is in Steamboat Springs. She teaches a communication course to medical students at the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver info@docdawn.com.
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