A
post by Tigress
(posted by Tigress - in answer to a post on the message
boards)
thoughts
by Tigress Luv, the Breakup
Guru
Hi, and welcome :)
Let me say that I have observed two
phenomena when it comes to 'transitional' relationships.
ONE) The active/nonactive match. In
most relationships you will find that one party is actively or aggressively
interested in the relationship - and one party is receptively or passively
interested. What I mean by this is one party is actively seeking ways to
better the relationship; to work out problems; to keep love and romance alive;
to keep, save, or 'regain' their partner's love; and to pursue a more deep
and meaningful relationship with that of their partner. When one person takes
an active role in their relationship they seek to satisfy their partner,
to improve their partner's happiness, and to secure their partner's
love. On the other hand, you have the 'non-active', 'passive', or 'receptive'
party who does just the opposite. Not only do they not 'pursue' their partner,
or work on their relationship, but they have a more 'let's just sit-back
and wait' attitude. They are receptive to their partner's advances and attention,
but do not reciprocate with any of their own. They take a passive role in
their relationships, and have an attitude of not how they can make their
partner happy, or what they can 'add' to their relationships...but rather
an attitude of 'how can my partner make ME happy' and 'what can
I get out of this relationship'? It is an even stranger phenomenon
that these roles can be switched at anytime. Once the active partner assumes
the 'non-active' role, the passive partner takes over the aggressive role
of pursuing the relationship and working towards the happiness of their partner.
I have often been amazed how many people cannot feel their love for another
when that love is given freely, but can feel totally immersed in their partner
when they have to work for their partner's affections. This is an example
of the passive/aggressive relationship.
TWO) Another phenomenon I have observed
is the push/pull in many relationships. Almost like the passive/aggressive
relationship described above, this is the relationship where one party 'pushes'
and the other party 'pulls'. The party that pushes will use any tactic available
to them. Emotional manipulation; begging; pleading; promising to change;
engaging the help of others; threats; sex; trying to please; helplessness;
guilt; despair; praying; reassurance; repeated confessions of love; arguing;
hoping; reasoning; hopelessness; and even blaming. What do all these methods
do? They make your mate, by nature, resist you. The more you
push yourself on them, the more they retreat. Humans have two reactions to
any uncomfortable situation, even a love situation. Fight or flight. Once
the fight is gone they take flight. When someone is in flight the only way
to make them stop running is to quit pursuing them! Simple? Yes! By doing
this you eliminate your mate's resistance to you. They can now feel safe
with you. No longer motivated to run from you, they stop their feelings of
fear, hurt, anger, pessimism, and grief, anxiety, and even depression. They
stop their need for flight! No longer needing to flee, they feel they can
now relax with you. They no longer feel the need to resist you, they can
return to you and feel safe in doing so. This feeling, in turn, makes them
feel comfortable around you - bringing them right back to your side. But
wait! Now who is not emotionally available? You! You have turned the books
around in your favor. Aren't relationships baffling?!
John Gray once pointed out that many
people can't feel their love for another unless they are actively 'working'
at getting the other's love. It appears to me that your wife isn't 'actively'
working at regaining your trust, or loving you. I believe that she does love
you, but that (because of your 'active' interest in pursuing her love) you
are not allowing her to feel the full intensity of her love for you. It's
like she is stuck in the 'flight' pattern. She may be confused because she
believes that she loves you, and that your marriage should be given a second
chance, but her subconscious has programmed her to feel just the opposite.
The more you actively pursue her, the more confused she becomes - and the
less she feels an 'active' love for you.
Now I may be barking up the wrong tree
here - remember, this is really just my opinion and not carved in stone!
:P
~all articles by Tigress Luv, the Breakup
Guru. For more articles by Tigress Luv please visit
Breakups Magazine, an online FREE
magazine for those going through a
breakup.
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