Melody Beattie writes:

When we first become exposed to the concept of detachment, many of us find it objectionable and questionable. We may think that detaching means we don’t care. We may believe that by controlling, worrying, and trying to force things to happen, we’re showing how much we care.

We may believe that controlling, worrying, and forcing will somehow affect the outcome we desire. Controlling, worrying, and forcing don’t work. Even when we’re right, controlling doesn’t work. In some cases, controlling may prevent the outcome we want from happening.

As we practice the principle of detachment with the people in our life, we slowly begin to learn the truth. Detaching, preferably detaching with love, is a relationship behavior that works.

We learn something else too. Detachment – letting go of our need to control people – enhances all our relationships. It opens the door to the best possible outcome. It reduces our frustration level, and frees us and others to live in peace and harmony.

Detachment means we care, about others and ourselves. It frees us to make the best possible decisions. It enables us to set the boundaries we need to set with people. It allows us to have our feelings, to stop reacting and initiate a positive course of action. It encourages others to do the same.

It allows our Higher Power to step in and work.” via Detaching in Relationships – Saturday, August 21 – Adult Children Anonymous.

Related articles

• A Better Way (toddlohenry.com)
• True Detachment (maverickphilosopher.typepad.com)
• Family Buttons (toddlohenry.com)
• When Things Don’t Work (toddlohenry.com)
• Detachment (thinhealthyandlovingit.wordpress.com)
• Letting the Cycles Flow (toddlohenry.com)
• Detach Yourself: Therapy For The Soul #burningupfriday (steamboatfriday.wordpress.com)
• What If? (toddlohenry.com)
• Radio Operator vital to Personal Security Detachment (dvidshub.net)
• Borderline/Narcissistic Behavior Is Not About You (psychologytoday.com)