Saturday, January 26, 2008

Can a Relationship Survive Infidelity?


I believe so. Of course, it's not easy. When someone you love and trusted has been unfaithful to you the pain is unbearable. As are all the emotions that run with it: anger, heartbreak, depression, anxiety, doubts, fear, insecurities, and a crushed ego. Add to this those torturing feelings of a loss of faith and trust in your partner and one can feel physically sick. Playing those 'love-scenes' in your head of your mate and their lover together don't help much, either. Oh, argh!

Getting over these emotions, healing, learning to trust again, finding forgiveness and understanding, and rebuilding your relationship - all take time. It takes the conscious decision to save your relationship. It takes the courage to let go and learn to trust again. It takes the stamina of determination, and the strength of the commitment you have to your relationship.

It also takes two. Yes, I believe a relationship can survive an affair. But both partners have to be willing to work at repairing the damage done to the relationship and to rebuilding a relationship based on commitment, forgiveness, and trust. And, yes, this is especially hard for the one who has been cheated on.

However, both parties may experience the same painful feelings: shame, guilt, blame, anger, disappointment, rage, embarrassment, resentment, denial, and mistrust.
I hope that within these pages you find hope, understanding, and the strength to do what you feel is best in your life - whether it be staying and working through it, or leaving and moving on. Ultimately the choice is yours.

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