12 Comments
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An Ordinary Woman's avatar

You had me at "what other lies have you been telling yourself about this friendship?" I'm inspired to monitor my complaining, but having just had a very disappointing friendship experience, the real meat and potatoes for me was that shot between the eyes. Don't we always need to be reassessing. BAM

Carol Smaldino LCSW's avatar

It's a beautiful title, the beginning flow of this piece.

What we tell ourselves about our friendships seems crucial. Feeling betrayed is real, and being betrayed can be real. But wanting what isn't real is a fact, or has been so in many of our lives. You have not ceased to work towards yourself, even though you fall.

Thank you for sharing the falls as well as the lighter times.

mkb's avatar

Oh I have a friendship story ... she had been telling me all along who she really was. I knew it. I didn't expect the knife in the back but I really wasn't surprised when it happened. I still marvel at how accepting I was of the whole thing. I'm looking forward to the new book.

LeAnn's avatar

I just read this and it has totally changed my outlook for the day.

catsongs's avatar

Allowing...yes. If you are not familiar with Tosha Silver's work, may I heartily recommend that you seek her out. I find so many common threads between you, and I love that I know of you both. Eagerly anticipating the arrival of my copy of Love, Finally. xoxox

Sabena Lund's avatar

Thank you Geneen, for your authenticity and deep compassion. You speak in a way that I can hear, and I'm hearing invitations and opportunity for profound change 😍

Vivienne Ingram's avatar

Ah Geneen thank you yet again for your coruscating honesty and courage. You have really shown me that 90% of my inner monologue consists of complaining. I hope I can follow your example.♥️

JeannineBee9's avatar

Thank you again for your insights. I've been reading your books for decades (😳), been to a few of your workshops. I always appreciate your thoughtful self-inquiry. ❤️🐝

Kellie O'Connor's avatar

Fabulous! Inspired to follow suit… my husband will think his wife has been abducted. Sobering stuff. Can’t wait to read the book.

Elizabeth Sadhu she/we/us's avatar

Hell yes! We don't know what will happen has been on my lips for the last few years.

And i like to say "Profound Allowing". It's not about giving permission, it's being present, being in all our feelings, pausing, allowing/embracing ourselves. Letting go of outcomes. Because as a human I have NO FUCKING IDEA . I can only pause and listen for my next step.

Heather Midori's avatar

Powerful, insightful post...thank-you; it's great reminder of how to become 'unstuck' in our personal rhetoric...

Mary Kellogg's avatar

You had me at your opening sentence. I laughed out loud identifying and then I read it to my husband. Definitely FOOD for thought and practice.