Mar
The Rescue from Within
Have you ever faced an impossible situation, and did the right thing at the critical moment? If so, did it almost seem as if you were watching yourself do it?
Deep within ourselves is a failsafe mechanism that can come to our rescue if we let it. The key is to be willing to do the right thing, even if it is unpleasant. When it does, it is as if one part of us is an observer. It watches the other part take charge.
A very clear experience of this happened to me almost thirty years ago. I was in a romantic relationship which had gotten quite serious. The problem was that the woman had a very different idea of how things should be. Once she felt that she and I were going to be a permanent thing, her demeanor changed. The woman was nice as pie when she was trying to “reel me in.” Once she felt she had me, I saw another side of her and I did not like it.
At first, I tried to accommodate her. However, like the Yew Tree, I could only bend so far before I sprung back into shape. We argued, we disagreed, and the relationship was on the rocks. I felt that we needed to have a long, quiet conversation to see if we had any kind of future. Part of our problem was that we would make plans and then she would break them at the last moment. Needless to say that she did the same thing every time we planned to talk things over.
After a couple of attempts to plan some time to talk, I gave her one last chance. I told her that if she did not make time for us to talk, then I would assume she did not care. The relationship would be over. She agreed, but when it came time to talk, she changed her mind.
I knew what had to be done. I did not want to backstep because of feelings. That was when my inner rescuer came into action. Looking her straight in the eye, I told her that we were through. The relationship was over. I felt as if I were watching myself do this. Even as I left, it seemed like there was two of me: the doer and the observer.
In the aftermath, I realized that the relationship had become a burden. Its end was long overdue.
There had been two or three other instances where that inner rescuer came forth. This incident is the one that is easiest to describe.
Your inner rescuer is there when you choose to do the right thing. Like a booster, it gives you a little extra might when you need it. Think back on your own experiences and you will likely find a few where that inner failsafe worked for you.
