Brave Enough To Be Bliss

Ginger and I had a lot to talk about and work through, but I felt hopeful.

A few months later, I was with a friend from work and we were waiting for someone to join us for a business happy hour meeting when a handsome gentleman came over and introduced himself to us. He stood there talking with us until the other party joined us and then excused himself. After we finished the business portion of our meeting, we invited him back over and we all had a nice time talking. Before we left, he asked if he could call me. I said sure and gave him my phone number. He followed up soon after and we scheduled a time to meet at a restaurant in Brookside near Ginger’s old office . Even though I hadn’t been to that restaurant before, it felt more comfortable just knowing I was near somewhere familiar. After that evening, I sent Ginger the following email. On Apr 12, 2021, at 6:33 AM, Ginger Bliss wrote: I had a lovely evening with Scott. He asked, so I’m seeing him again on Wednesday before I leave for Florida. I think he is a legit nice guy. He even brought up church and has gone to COR even though he raised three kids Catholic. He said he’d like to go to downtown COR with me sometime. He’s close to his grandma who raised him. Seems honest, we talked from 4:05 when I arrived to 10:30 virtually nonstop, and we watched the end of Royals game and Master’s. He’s very kind and complimentary. Can this be real??

On April 12, 2021, 8:06 AM, Ginger Rothhaas wrote: I love this! And yes, it can be real. Just allow it to unfold. You are healing an old pattern of stealing joy from yourself. So, practice not doing that this time. Here are some things to say to yourself to help with this:

Things are coming to me with ease. It doesn’t have to be hard and heavy. I can enjoy what comes my way.

The time with him yesterday was a gift from God as a reward for the work you have done in honoring and protecting yourself. Just receive it without overthinking it. Enjoy the moments with him. Take it moment by moment only. “In this moment I am having fun.” And repeat that over and over again. If a feeling of fear or worry comes up, just say “Ginger, this is your old fear coming back up, but you are safe now. You are stronger than you have ever been, and you deserve to enjoy this moment.” Thank you for sending me this email! It made my day!! I love you and I love that people are being kind to you!!!! Keep me posted, Ginger

“Ask yourself: Is this how I actually feel or is this my emotional history trying to recreate the past?” Yung Pueblo

From: Ginger Bliss To: Ginger Rothhaas Mon, Apr 12, 2021 at 8:58 AM

Well, as always, you knew exactly what I needed to hear and do. Sort of started freaking out a little because it did seem too easy, too nice, too fun, too possible... In that moment, I was great...it was only after we parted that fear started creeping in. In the moment, I was just me and honest and real and open. Thank you for the tools to use and for knowing I need them. I am so glad you knew exactly what I would need. It is just so strange to have a man be kind and considerate and caring and complimentary to me...so my mind keeps going to there must something I'm missing about him. And questioning how he is going to take advantage of me or hurt me...and my mind can quickly go to some pretty in-depth made-up scenarios. I want to believe he's just good and kind...not perfect of course, but just a decent human being with faults like us all. Seems too good to be true, though, so it is a mental challenge for me. I have copied your message in the notes on my phone so I can let the brain training begin...because it's going to have to change in order for me to not screw it up before it starts. Thank you again, I SO appreciate you and need your guidance. I just need to stay in the present all the time and I think I can do this. I will start telling myself these things, like for months I had to question everything, Is it true? And I guess that one wouldn't be bad to do again too. I have deleted a lot of the notes I no longer need, but I keep that one with all the Byron Katie questions to keep myself on track. So, your tools below are now right above it. Makes me feel good I'm down to these two entries, though, as that is a lot of barriers overcome and a lot of progress...so I can do this too. You're right. Thank you, thank you, thank you...prevented a bit of a freak out this morning with your response. I love you and am so very appreciative God put you in my life when he did for so many reasons. You are a gift to me I am grateful for each day!

Will certainly do that, Ginger

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