EP 407: Should We Continue the Relationship After Infidelity? With Jade — Part 1 of 3

<p dir="ltr">This call is about deciding whether or not to rekindle a relationship after experiencing infidelity or betrayal. Today’s caller, Jade, has recently been brought back together with someone she loves but whom she left because he betrayed her. This session is the first of three conversations. In next week’s call, Christine speaks with Jade’s partner.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">[For show notes go here: <a href= "http://christinehassler.com/episode407">Christinehassler.com/episode407</a>]</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When we are betrayed and we are cheated on, of course, we feel anger and hurt, it was an awful thing to have happened, and we get to be mad and angry at the other person. But if we hold on to those things for too long then we’re the ones who continue to hurt ourselves.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">For many people, infidelity or any kind of betrayal is a deal breaker and sometimes it’s not. Sometimes there are so many other things leading up to the betrayal or infidelity that, of course, do not excuse it, but also contribute to why there might be an opening for forgiveness and an opportunity to rebuild the relationship from a fresh start. When it comes to infidelity or betrayal, it’s not a black-and-white topic.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Forgiveness is a process; it doesn’t happen overnight and it is not something we can do just with our mind. We need to do it with our hearts and our somatic body. We need to move through those emotions of anger, sadness, hurt, and shame to get to a place of — “How do I really feel about this situation, and is my heart open to repair?”</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Consider/Ask Yourself:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Have you ever been unfaithful in a relationship or have you been cheated on?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">What do you define as betrayal?</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr"