Well DH and I have had our share of *crappy* jobs and times we have been out of work and times where we have said hateful things to each other because of stress, dealing with financial woes and all that, but I don't think we have ever gone to bed angry and bitter at each other, so I am not quite sure if I have anything that will help you, but I do know that it puts sooo much stress on your life depending on your job (or lack of one) Most men (I won't say all, but most) feel so worthless when they become suddenly jobless, they become insecure (and I know the way he went about the job search did not make sense to you, but maybe it honestly did to him, or maybe it was on account of he himself felt worthless? Maybe he felt he wasn't worthy of a good job) It really does make hateful things come out of their mouths. This be the problem, men can usually forgive and forget when the situation gets better, but us women? we may forgive but we have a hard time forgetting the things that have been said, but you sound so positive! I am happy for you:) I think this will be good for you, letting go of past hurts is hard but it really can be done, maybe you guys can go do something nice togather to celebrate? Start a new tradition with the realization for both of you that this is a fresh start.
You can ALWAYS move forward:)

Hi used2bsexy -

It is difficult to start the forgiveness process. The pain is so fresh that you don't know where to begin. You are waiting for the day when you will want to finally do it but it never happens.

From what I read "Forgiveness" is a conscious decision. It is not something that just happens easily. I think some people have an easier go with it, though.

Forgiveness is not done to let the other person off (namely DH). You do it for yourself. "It sets the captive free". The abuser may not know the full extent of the pain he or she has caused you. Therefore, you cannot extract one bit of compensation from them by remaining in pain. Actually, letting go of it renders the abuser powerless. You stop thinking about how angry you are at him. He isn't important anymore. You have just given yourself permission to live again. It helps you also to see them in a different way. Yes, you can even come to feel compassion for the very person who has hurt you.

The rest is up to you. As you begin, maintain the stance of forgiveness. You can further enhance the change by behaving toward the person who hurt you in a forgiving way. Perhaps, in time DH will start to respond in kind to the change. Even if he doesn't, you will be at Peace. There will be times that you might fall back and have to start again, but you will doing it more to please yourself. You are making an active choice not to remain in pain. Remember that just because you decide to forgive and move on, it does not mean the "forgiven" will thank you for it. You owned the pain to begin with even if DH caused it. You can't get inside his head to figure out whether he feels guilty or did it on purpose and you may never know for sure.

"Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." ~Mark Twain

By way of observation of myself, I have grown to the conclusion that the more that I thought about the harm that was done to me the more harm I did to myself. I enforced the hurt but constantly re-enacting it in my mind. In a way, you are re-harming yourself when you do that. You let it go. Why, cause you can not pass that way again no matter how you might want to. It is water under the bridge. That is not to say that you don't remember it. That is how we learn also. It helps us in other areas of life as well. It is a good thing to grow wiser. We can, then, circumvent other potentially hurtful people and situations. And, even if we collide with someone else who hurts us, we can also learn a new way of adjusting to it.

Hoping that others will have many other hopeful insights ito your question.

Tenderchichi wrote: "By way of observation of myself, I have grown to the conclusion that the more that I thought about the harm that was done to me, the more harm I did to myself. I ENFORCED THE HURT, BY RE-ENACTING IT IN MY MIND". In a way, you are re-harming yourself when you do that. You let it go.

Wise words indeed.

Make a conscious choice to forgive your husband. And then do not bring up the past. Make it a point to look for the good in him. Men need respect. As his wife, treat him with respect. As you are walking by, tenderly stroke his shoulder or hair. Listen with interest when he speaks. Smile at him. Treat him in loving ways, even though you do not feel like it, and it does not feel sincere. In fact, it might feel downright uncomfortable, and awkward. But those feelings will change, and you will be making the first steps towards healing yourself, and your relationship.

There is an old story I once heard. A grandfather was explaining to his grandson that there are two wolves that live inside him. One is good and the other is evil. The two wolves are at war within him. The grandson asks his grandfather which wolf will win. The grandfather responded,
"the one I feed". And so make a conscious decision to feed the good side of yourself", and healing will come.

Forgive him. And perhaps you should ask to be forgiven by him for how you responded to the stress of the situation. And you begin the process of healing.

Every time the painful memories, words, come into your mind, make a conscious effort to switch to a good thought. Do not allow your mind to replay the past, and drag you back into the muck. It will tempt you often, to nurse those old wounds, and to tell you your anger was justified, by do not allow yourself to indulge those thoughts. They will destroy your efforts to heal both yourself, and your relationship with your husband. They are the seeds that allow bitterness to grow, and to take up permanent residence within you.

Sometime ago I heard a man ask for advice. He no longer loved his wife. When he looked at her, he felt nothing for her. He knew a divorce would devastate his children and wife. But he was miserable, and lonely.

He was advised to go through the motions of someone in love. To touch his wife as he passed her. To look at her with interest when she spoke. To smile at her. Compliment her. To treat her as though he loved her dearly. He was told at first it would feel awkward, and insincere. But to continue doing it anyway for an extended period of time, like 3-6 months, I believe. And then to look at how he felt about his wife and the relationship.

When one person in a relationship changes, or behaves differently, then those around them begin to change too.

A new job does *not* make a new man...

...but I wish you luck and happiness used2be. I do think forgiveness is the way to begin.

Oh I am well aware that a new job does not make a new man...trust me. I am not thinking this makes the past go away and everything is terrific. As I said before, we had issues prior to the job loss. It is just that things got way out of hand after that happened. I would like to think this is a potential new start ---in ways. There are things that I will still have to contend with like issues with his family,his passive aggressive tendencies, etc. By the way, since everything happened I am a MUCH more assertive person and much more in control of my emotions than I ever have been in my life. Now those 2 particular issues are dealt with way differently by me (much better). I have changed a whole lot over the past 3 years so it can never ever be the same. I just hope that this could potentially be a new start in ways and we could move forward. Just wanted everyone's viewpoints on it and ways to make that happen on my end. I appreciate all the feedback!!

All the best to you, I've read some of your past posts, and plan to look up that book on passive aggressive behavior that you'd recommended to someone else, since I was considering the narcissist label for my dh, but he only fit a few of the signs, whereas I am slowly realizing all the little things dh has done in the past (I thought to piss me off) were punishment for me doing something (?) for making him angry. And speaking privately with a close relative about how his dad treated his mom shows me where he probably learned this strongly established behavior from. The trick for me is to not feel so hurt by his actions, I still need to figure that one out. I take strength (and insight and knowledge) from you and the many others, for sharing your feelings and what you know here, thank-you much.

I have found comfort in exploring different ways of tackling problems, particularly the problems of blame and all that is associated with that negative emotion.

I manage my life now, by being mindful. By finding contentment in the moment. Its tricky at times, but overall that way of thinking, has really helped me, "move on". By choosing to think like that, I find I can move away from all the past problems that have plagued me.

I have also read a lot about meditation, and now partake in that everyday. I feel I am calmer, and able to deal with problems. I recently had a health drama to endure, which I was very frightened about, and got through it all using my newfound coping mechanisms. I was very pleased with how I coped.

I guess what I am saying is that to change ones life, perhaps it is best to look within ourselves. Then, when things go wrong, when people annoy us, or upset us, we know to just let it go, because another moment will come along, and then the past is gone.

I admire you for wanting to move on much contentment to you.

P

Popi and used2bsexy...There seems to be such maturity in the way you are "choosing" to cope/manage/handle/endure the difficulties, disappointments, and problems you are presented with in "life". It seems that you have both turned that corner, where you are handling things from a perspective of calmness, thoughtfulness, and maturity, and that you are no longer being tossed about emotionally with the problems. You seem steady, and mature.

Used2Bsexy...what is the name of the book on passive/aggressive behavior?

Popi...Can you pass on what you have learned? You have explored different ways of tackling problems, particularly the problems of blame and all that is associated with that negative emotion. How do you go about managing your life by being mindful? By finding contentment in the moment? To be able to emotionally/mentally move away from all of the problems that plagued you. I find in meditation/quiet time, I still am re-playing or re-enacting situations that have been upsetting. I have to make a very determined and conscious effort to switch thoughts to something happier. I am only successful some of the time.

What have you learned that would be helpful?

Whoops, I shouldn't make a vague reference to a book like that.

It is:

Living with the Passive Aggressive Man by Scott Wetzler.

Bnicebkind

I am happy to pass on what I have learned, send me an email if you want to discuss the subject further.

I am by no means an expert, just a normal old gal, stumbling through life, with all its ups and downs.

Thanks for your positive words.

P