Archive for the ‘angry woman’ Category

Why does she trigger me so frickin’ bad?!!!

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Really?

You REALLY want to know?

OK – Here are 3 answers. Choose your favourite. Then do something with it.

1. The theory: She triggers you because of your childhood experiences, mostly with your parents. You are projecting your unmet childhood needs, insecurities and beliefs onto her. This is the model used by Imago therapist and author of  the popular book “Getting The Love You Want,” Harville Hendrix.

The opportunity: Identify these projections together and start to use your relationship as an intentional vehicle for healing.

2. The theory: She triggers you precisely because she is the perfect one to test you, to help you grow past your current limits and into your highest potential. Some teachers would suggest that you actually “chose” her for this purpose… either unconsciously, or even before choosing to incarnate as a human being. AKA “soul contracts.”

The opportunity: Stop resisting the challenges and start “leaning in.” Choose to find the opportunities for growth within your relationship conflict. Once you see her as a teacher and an opportunity, you can stop blaming her and start using the lessons consciously, no matter how painful or difficult.

3. The theory: She triggers you because of Limbic Resonance. Limba-what-ness? This term was coined by Thomas Lewis, M.D, Fari Amini, M.D. and Richard Lannon, M.D. in their book A General Theory of Love. Scientists have discovered that our emotional states have a measurable effect on other people. Researchers at the Heartmath Institute have demonstrated that our nervous systems generate electromagnetic fields that not only extend out from our bodies, but actually interact with and influence the nervous systems of other people. Yeah, I know. Trippy. Whoa. This means that you can (and do!) influence your spouse’s emotional experience all the time.

The opportunity: Bring more skill and consciousness to your own emotional states. Practice emotional intelligence. Be aware of this wordless, profound effect you have on each other.

Which of these theories makes most sense to you?
What action will you take today?

If you could use a roadmap to deal with the challenges of marriage constructively, Download the 8-page ebook End Relationship Drama for free now.

Sexual synergy in action – Sexiest. Dance. Ever.

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Watch how this guy holds space for this woman.
Sexual synergy in action.
He doesn’t let her walk off.
He doesn’t try to control her.
He attends to her safety, while allowing her flow and providing structure for her movement.

And notice how the dance ends… until next time.

Thanks to Erin Michaela Brandt for recognizing the relevance and deep beauty of this and forwarding it to me.

“We’re Desperate for our Man to be the Calm in our Storm!”

Friday, August 21st, 2009

OK guys – It’s getting clearer all the time just how critical it is for us MEN to hold a solid, safe container for the craziness and chaos that our women go through. I often talk about this crucial point.

I’ve received quite a few emails and comments from WOMEN on this point, and I want to share a recent letter from Lisa M. that is particularly inspiring, insightful and affirming.

Lisa says -

When us gals go nuts we’re actually desperate for our man to be the calm in our storm…  To stand in the fire and not shrink back.

I want to thank you for the good advice you are giving to men on The Hero Principles web site.

From a woman’s perspective, you are spot on!

I particularly resonated with this statement you made:

‘She has to TRUST you before she lets you in. That’s why she has you jumping through all these fiery hoops, albeit unconsciously.’

Looking back at my last relationship, I think my subconscious kept setting up situations where I wanted my partner to earn my trust.  Trust he had lost by breaking his word to me.  Situations that would test his integrity.

I wanted him to show me he could stand in his power, even when I was out of balance.

I was acting out in anger from a desire for safety, like a horse that starts bucking because it does not trust it’s rider.

I wanted him to show me I could lean on him and not fall flat on my face.  Well, I leaned, I fell, it’s over…  :-)

And I can now see that I chose him to prove myself right – to reinforce my old, deep belief from childhood that people I love break my trust.  I’m ready to let that belief go now. I’ve done a lot of work to face that pain.

I look forward to attracting a loving relationship with a trustworthy and loyal man!

Namaste,
Lisa

Those of you who have worked with me one-on-one know the importance I place on a man’s ability to lean in and be present with an angry woman… without letting himself get blown off-course.

I often borrow a metaphor from David Deida about a woman being a river and a man being the river-bank. While the river rages and changes course, the river-bank provides structure, a safe container for the rushing waters.

If the river-bank tries to block or dam the river, it will eventually be broken. If the river-bank is weak and abandons its post, the waters will run over, flooding the entire area. The river’s health, beauty, and magnificence depends on strong banks.

In her letter, Lisa uses a vivid metaphor of a horse that starts bucking because it does not trust its rider. She reminds us how women act out in anger… from a desire for safety.

Have you been bucked off by a woman who didn’t trust you fully, who wanted to feel safe?

Have you been letting the wild, rushing waters of her river wash out your river-banks?

I’m here to tell you -

Get back in the saddle. Don’t take it personally.

Re-enforce the weak spots in your river-bank.

The 7 principles in my Hero Principles E-coaching Program are your sandbags:

Remember…

“When us gals go nuts we’re actually desperate for our man to be the calm in our storm…  To stand in the fire and not shrink back.”

…Words of wisdom straight from the bucking horse’s mouth.

Why Ultimatums NEVER Get You What You Want… and what to do instead

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

When your woman is yelling at you, threatening to leave with the kids, or otherwise behaving like an irrational B-I-T-C-H, it’s tempting to utter words like “You better stop this… or I’m going to (leave/call the cops/fucking explode/cancel our trip/etc)!”

Even in the course of a calm conversation about the relationship an ultimatum can escape from your lips.

In fact, we create semi-conscious mini-ultimatums in our own mind that we don’t tell her about. Like… “I swear, if she tells me how I screwed that up ONE more time… I’m getting totally shit-faced in front of the TV tonight.”

Guys – ULTIMATUMS NEVER WORK. Here’s why in a nutshell…

The #1 reason your woman is angry is because she doesn’t feel safe.

That’s worth repeating.

The #1 reason your woman is angry is because she doesn’t feel safe.

She might not feel safe financially. She might not feel safe around your mother. She might not feel safe because she senses your lack of commitment or stability or life direction.

It doesn’t actually matter WHY she doesn’t feel safe, or if it’s a reasonable fear.

The point here is that ANY ultimatum  you deliver will make her feel LESS safe, not more safe. Even if you manage to control her for a short time with your ultimatum, her fear will return and express itself in more destructive and painful ways.

So how to deal effectively with her reprehensible behaviour, crazy threats, and apparent insanity???

1. Don’t take it personally. It’s probably not actually about you (and never was).

2. Don’t believe her. Acknowledge the experience and feelings that she is having. Don’t try to fix it or talk her out of it. But know that the storm will pass and that at her core is feminine trust and bliss. Practice seeing her this way.

3. Be stronger than her craziness. Not in an overpowering or controlling way, but by being totally present with her when she freaks out. Be the calm centre of the storm. Show her that you can meet her chaos with strength and patience.

4. Repeat as often as required.

Not sure you’re up for the task?
I got your back. Here’s how (click here).

Your Woman’s Anger – Cutting Through the Illusion and Getting to the Heart of the Issue

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Within the community of men that is growing around The Hero Principles, there has been some confusion around the themes of taking Full Responsibility and serving your woman’s femininity. I’ve been getting requests for more clarity, and the “Angry Woman” issue is an especially opportune area to explore.

I recently got a comment on this blog that basically says:
“It’s like she has two personalities.”

The reader then asks a very good question:
“Just doing whatever she wants isn’t going to solve the problem is it?”

I know a lot of men are asking similar questions, so here’s the answer -

It depends which “personality” you choose to serve!

What I’m suggesting is that under her anger, under her rage… is hurt. Engaging her ANGER at face value is a long, slow path. Trying to meet her angry demands or threats is indeed a lose-lose game – It doesn’t truly serve her or you. Her anger will keep you running in circles, chasing your own tail, if you let it.

Truth is, at her core, she doesn’t WANT you to buckle under her craziness, so she keeps giving you opportunities to rise above it. Anytime you buckle, she’ll respond with more anger and dissatisfaction.

So stop listening to just her words and start tuning in to her heart’s true desire. Start seeing through the facade, and into her True Goddess Nature. In her heart she simply wants to feel safe, loved and cared for. She wants to receive you. But she has to TRUST you before she lets you in. That’s why she has you jumping through all these fiery hoops, albeit unconsciously.

She’s waiting for you to show up powerfully and purposefully enough to cut through the protective illusions she’s cast, to cut through the BS (hers and yours)… and to join her heart.

Of course, to do this requires YOU to cultivate a resoundingly clear, courageous and conscious heart of your own. THAT, my friend, is what she truly “wants.” THAT is your opportunity. Doing THAT is precisely what will turn this problem into your shared victory.

So how do you do THAT?

You find out (or decide) what you stand for. You take leadership. You look for opportunities in every challenge or problem. You take responsibility for your own anxiety, discomfort or anger. You decide who you will choose to become on this life and relationship journey you are on.

Some men practice on their own.

Some men join a group of men who are committed to this process.
My friends Jayson Gaddis at Revolutionary Man and  Wayne Levine at BetterMen both facilitate men’s groups by telephone.

In fact, Jayson Gaddis has developed a unique guide that shows you step by step how to start and lead a Men’s Group!

Some men work one-on-one with a coach.

Whatever you choose, the Hero Principles are always there to serve you. THAT is what they are for. There is ALWAYS a hero principle to help you in EVERY situation. Keep them handy. Life provides constant opportunities to practice. You don’t need to look for opportunities, just to recognize them.

Thanks for joining me in this work.

All My Best,

Justice