Somebody That I Used to Know

The oddest thing happened yesterday. I was sat on a train with my nephew, heading home after a day out when lo and behold; who should get on the train but my ex-husband. He came and sat nearby and the three of us chatted quite amicably. I was completely bemused by the thought that kept running through my mind. He truly has become 'Somebody that I used to know.' This man who had been the cause of my happiness for many years and the cause of my pain in recent years was right in front of me and I didn't feel anything. Of course, he will always be special because he is the father of my four amazing children but apart from that, I realised that I am totally ready to put these chapters of my life behind me and move on. 

I would challenge all of us to examine our relationships. Are we with someone who values us and loves us with all their soul; not just in words but they show by their actions that we mean everything to them? I know how hard it is to 'step out' from a difficult relationship. It is hard to go it alone. Please don't think I'm saying to 'jack in' a perfectly sound relationship as all partnerships take effort and dedication to work successfully. We must know our own worth though. Whoever it is that we feel we can't live without, is not worth being with if they treat us badly, abuse us or lead us to question our own sanity. We were fine before they came into our lives and I promise you that it is possible to live and to live happily once again without them. I'm not going to delude you and say it will be easy because it's not and you can expect plenty of tears and dark days. However, it is possible to grow stronger through it all. Hang on to friends, family and those you trust for support, read positive literature and posts, if necessary join a support group that deals with your needs/issues and have faith in a power higher than yourself to lead you through it all. My higher power is God.

 Let's not settle for less than we deserve. Here's a quote by Maureen Dowd, American columnist and Pulitzer prize winner, "The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for."