I was speaking to a woman on the phone today, when she asked me what kind of books I write. I told her about my children’s book, Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes, and of course, I told her about Where There’s Smoke. As I spoke about relational aggression, she was shocked. When I began to describe its characteristics, she said she had heard of such dynamics, but had never experienced it.
I told her she was blessed, that most women had had experiences with relational aggression, either as witnesses or targets, and perhaps more than a few, as aggressors from time to time.
It was kind of nice though to find someone who seemed to be so unaware of this type of manipulative aggression. Most of the time I am met with story upon story of some unresolved betrayal, the trauma of it going deep into a person’s psyche.
And that’s why it’s so important to talk about it. The most exhilerating feeling is hearing your experiences validated in others, to see them, even if through the internet, nodding their heads in agreement or understanding of what you are going through.
You’re not alone in this. I hope you reach out to someone, because you deserve that kind of support.
Demian,
~DreamSinger
Discussion Board for Relational Aggression
Recent Comments