The Work: "Fix My Feuding Sisters"
Of all human experiences, abandonment and rejection are among the most difficult to deal with because of the emotions they trigger. Anger, shame and guilt are the most common emotions that surge to the surface when there is an experience of abandonment or rejection. In many instances, where there is one, there is the other. An experience of abandonment gives rise to feelings of rejection. When a person is overtly or covertly rejected by a loved one, family member, partner or even a social acquaintance, it registers in the mind as an experience of abandonment. For children, nothing is more devastating or damaging than the feeling of being abandoned by a parent or primary caregiver. In this week's episode, we look into the lives of three adult siblings, who abandoned each other as a result of their childhood experiences.
This study guide is offered to support you as you work through your feelings of abandonment or rejection. As you complete the statements, stay focused on you, your thoughts and your motivations, even if other people are involved. As you open your heart and mind to compassionately acknowledge what you have done or not done, you open the door for healing, learning and growth.
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I believe ________ abandoned me. When I think about this experience, I feel ________.
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If ______ had not abandoned me, I believe I would _____________.
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As a result of this experience of abandonment, it is difficult for me to ______________.
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As a result of feeling abandoned by ______, I promised myself I would________.
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As a result of feeling abandoned by ________, I always _______________.
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If _____ had not abandoned me, my life would be ______ because ______________.
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What I want ______ to know is ____________________.
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What I am willing to do to heal from this experience is _______________.
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Another way to look at this experience would be ________________.
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The person who could say that he or she felt abandoned by me is _____________.
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What I want this person to know is ________________.
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I am willing to forgive myself for believing ____________. I am willing to forgive myself for feeling ____________.
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I am willing to forgive myself for thinking ____________.
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I am willing to forgive myself for saying ____________.
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I am willing to forgive myself for not ____________.
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I am willing to forgive myself for always ____________.
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Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I appreciate about myself is ______. Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I know about myself is __________.
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Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I appreciate about myself is _______.
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Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I believe about myself is _________.
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Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I appreciate about myself is ______.
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As a result of feeling abandoned by ________, I always _______________.
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Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I appreciate about myself is _______.
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Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I am willing to do better is ________.
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Even though I believe I was abandoned by _____, what I appreciate about myself is _______.