• My Story
  • Published Books
  • Events
  • Endorsements
  • Karen Casey

  • Press Kit
  • Get in Touch
  • My Blog

Karen Casey

Reflections in the Mirror - You and Yourself
/
December 26, 2010

Detachment strikes a chord. . .

Many recent readers have commented specifically on some of my earlier posts dealing with detachment.  This is like music to my ears since detachment has been one of my favorite topics to write and speak about in lectures and workshops for the past few years.  (See amazon.com for a listing of my books).

I think writers generally stick close to those areas that have special meaning for them and from childhood into adulthood, I was far too attached to others for my good feelings, and my self-esteem.  I commonly let how friends looked at me or talked to me define how I saw myself.  Strangers had a similar effect on me. Some writers, myself included, refer to this as codependency.  The label, itself, isn’t important but the concept is.  Being “codependent” imprisons us, thus doesn’t allow any person the freedom to complete the journey she (or he) is here to fulfill.

I was introduced to this concept in a book I read in 1971, a book by author John Powell, a Jesuit priest.  In Why Am I Afraid To Tell You Who I Am he shared a story about a friend of his who wasn’t controlled in any sense by the harsh treatment he received on a daily basis by the likes of a certain individual.  Powell was both amazed and aghast, actually.  His friend quite calmly explained, “Why should I let him determine what kind of day I am going to have?”

I was astounded by those words.  It had never occurred to me that how others behaved didn’t have to affect me.  Every body’s words or scowls or unseeing eyes had always defined me.  I ached to be indifferent to these “slurs,” but didn’t have any idea how to become the woman I wanted to be.  It wasn’t until I began my journey in the 12 step rooms that I was able to see that there was another path for me to follow.  Doing an inventory and discovering just who I was, both the good and not so good parts, was the beginning I needed to evolve into the woman I am now.

I look back on my life and all those experiences with others, particularly those I didn’t understand at the time, with gratitude now.  Every one of them helped to catapult me into the life I now enjoy, moment by moment.  The same is true for you, of course.  We are a composite of all that happened from the first day of life until now.  No part of it could have been left out or we’d not be us.  And it’s us that the world around us needs in this very instant.  Let’s rejoice.

Pin this Post
Share this Post
8 Comments
Leave a Comment
karencasey

I am an author, a lecturer, and a workshop presenter. I have presented programs throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Ireland. As of July, 2010 I have published 23 books, with number 24 being released in spring of 2011 and a memoir underway. For a listing of my books and ordering information, go to www.womens-spirituality.com. To contact me about presenting a program in your area, call 239-398-6327 or e-mail me from my web site or at jcasey4991@aol.com

You May Also Like...

Leading from the heart. . .

December 3, 2010

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. . .

June 2, 2010

Choosing to say nothing is a remarkably freeing choice.

September 12, 2013

Let’s have gratitude for all our encounters. . .

May 25, 2012
8 Comments
  • Marielle Tousant
    April 13, 2011

    Thanks a bunch for an additional valuable post. Ive been checking this web site often for the past few months, and its currently one among my favorite sites! . I work on a web site that has terribly similar content, would you have got any interest write a guest post on it? Shoot me an email if you are interested!

    Reply
  • BTL Remortgage Deals
    March 9, 2011

    Sick! Just received a brand-new Pearl and I can now read your blog on my phone’s browser, it didn’t get the job done on my previous 1.

    Reply
  • hearing loss age
    March 6, 2011

    As a Newbie, I am always exploring online for articles that can help me. Thank you

    Reply
  • Burton Haynes
    February 13, 2011

    Hey, I searched for this blog on Bing and just wanted to say thanks for the excellent read. I would have to agree with it, thank you again!

    Reply
    • karencasey
      Burton Haynes
      February 15, 2011

      Thanks for finding me and commenting.
      Karen

      Reply
  • Edna Mason
    February 3, 2011

    Excellent post this will help me!

    Reply
  • Claude Jones Jr
    December 27, 2010

    Hello Karen,
    I was at your workshop in Paoli, PA. I was not lead to say anything but I shared with you our Spiritual Director’s Meditation CD.
    Last Thursday, I was at a Circle of Miracles Church for a workshop on the work of Byron Katie and someone shared about a loved one considering Suicide. My mind went straight back to a comment on suicide in your book “Co-dependence and the Power of Detachment” about being “on the threshold of a great spiritual awakening. (pg 19-20)
    Before I shared that comment and showed the facilitator and the person speaking your book someone else spoke of detachment, it was natural for me to share.

    Reply
    • karencasey
      Claude Jones Jr
      December 28, 2010

      I’m so glad that you were able to offer some words of encouragement to others. And thanks for commenting here. I’m so glad we had a chance to meet last fall.
      Karen

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel Comment

Previous Post
Just a note of gratitude for all the comments to my posts. . .
Next Post
Connection is a powerful gift that we give one another. . .
  • My Story
  • Published Books
  • Events
  • Endorsements
  • Press Kit
  • Get in Touch
  • My Blog

COPYRIGHT © 2022 Site Powered by Pix & Hue.