| Clan Mother Speaks
Love and Guidance from the Circle Dear Moonheart, My friend is a crisis addict. She is a good person but drama and discord seem to follow her every where she goes. I don�t want to be involved in the constant gossip, making up of lies, conflict and melodrama. I always seem to be dragged along. I am beginning to see that people are getting hurt by her actions. I love her and would like to remain friends with her. How do I handle this? What can I do? Lady Dannika Greetings Dannika, Sadly enough, this kind of behavior is ongoing in all walks of life .Many people suffer from this condition and it is treatable with professional counseling and therapy. If it is severe, that is the recommendation, to suggest professional help for your friend. As a friend of someone with this ongoing untreated condition, here are some suggestions. How do you handle this? First and foremost we usually are not �dragged along�. Most folks that become involved with this type of person go willingly by participation in the drama and dysfunction. When it comes to gossip SIMPLY� DO NOT participate! If you refuse to fuel the gossip fire, it will diminish. Tap into your inner strength, stand up for what you know to be right. When you enable this behavior you also own the consequences, in these situations try to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem, especially when you know people are getting hurt. Don�t listen to the gossip. Gossip hurts everyone. Walk away. This is the only way to handle gossip. As far as lies and untruths go, speak up when you know something is not true. If you know something to be a lie don�t be afraid to say so. Let people know where you stand ethically. As you tap into your own code of ethics (what you know to be right or wrong within your own spirit) you will not be dragged into these types of situations. I highly recommend Robin Wood�s book �When, Why and If...� for further information and study of pagan ethics. It is excellent! I believe we all need to work within our community to try and diffuse this problem. It takes a strong spirit to ignore gossip, to stand up for truth and all that is sacred in life. Isn�t that what makes us as pagans, different from whence we came??? Blessings to you both, MoonHeart Dear MoonHeart, I am pagan. Is it right for me to have to hide my religion from my husband? Greenwoman Dear Greenwoman, It is your right as an American citizen to practice whatever religion you choose in the United States of America. As a human being your spirituality is your own No one has the right to dictate these things for you, however you must make the choice whether to Exercise these rights according to the lifestyle you have chosen to live. Basically it is up to you and what you can and will do about this situation. . To be continued next issue����..MoonHeart |