Clearing out Karma

I just finished a meditation this evening.  And I made a startling discovery.  I have actually worked through some issues. I visited my hometown last week and walked through the past.  Reliving a lot of memories.  Some good, some not so good. One thing I discovered is that I am not living back there.  I am happy here in the present.  I really have no desire to revisit or change where I came from.  It is done.  I am no longer the person that lived there.

I also think I have made peace in my relationship with my mother and thus my relationship with my stepfather.  When I was younger I watched their relationship and was under the assumption that is how marriages were conducted.  I tried my best to behave the same way as my mother did.  But it didn't work for me. The gifts I gave were taken advantage of.  I lost myself in my marriage.  It wasn't about us.  It became about him.  And in the end I realized it was wrong, I couldn't do it anymore.  Was I not as strong as my mother is?  No.  I don't need to be.  I am not her.  I am me.

Years ago my mother told me she made decisions about how she was going to live her life.  And that she realized she would have to endure the consequences of those decisions.  At the time I didn't know what she really meant.  But having gone through Al-anon and working the 12 steps, I understand now that she put herself first.  Something I now do for myself.  After all if I am not healthy, the people around me won't be either.

The hurt feelings I have felt in the past about my mother's actions and decisions are now gone.  I handled a situation last week that could have been extremely hurtful.  It did ache a little, but knowing that my mother is well loved and taken care of made it easier for me to take.  She has been married to my step-father for 33 years.  Both are in their 70's and neither one of them are going to change.  Why should they?  They are happy and that is all that matters.  I am happy too.  I have shed my resentments, they don't matter any more.  My mom loves me and I love her.  That was demonstrated this last week. It is what it is...and it ain't so bad.

And Mom....if you read this....I truly do...