Toxic Relationships

Toxic Relationships
Every person reading this piece is either in, has been in, or knows someone who has been in, a toxic relationship. The term is self-descriptive, the relationship is poisonous, and it is deadly. Remaining in this type of relationship may or may not lead to physical death but the emotional toll it takes is no less devastating.
At the risk of over-simplifying what is, in my opinion, a pandemic problem in our culture, ask yourself this basic question," Is the relationship I am in with my (substitute the descriptive term of any close person) making regular deposits to my positive energy account or regular withdrawals?" Really ask yourself this question. Only you know who that/those person (s) are.
Every human being has a reservoir of positive energy and, hopefully, someone adding to it regularly. It’s that special someone that makes you smile, laugh, feel passionate, tickles your fancy, multiplies your dopamine output, etc. Conversely, everyone has a negative energy pool. You know all about this one. "You're ugly, you're fat, you're stupid, you're lazy, you'll never amount to anything, or the worst one of all, why are you drawing breath-you do not even matter!"
When you are all alone with only your thoughts and your heart as company, sit down and make a list. On your list make two columns and use these headings. One should read "Positive Energy" and the other "Negative Energy". Down the sides of your list name the most significant people in your world. Under each column, beside their name, identify the regular deposits they make in your positive energy reservoir. Put a star or some other mark by the most important contributions, you know, the ones that make you warm just thinking about them. When you are done with the positive list consider sending a card, calling them, or if close enough, a hug to say "thank you" for loving and caring for me.
Once you complete your negative list do yourself, your mental, emotional, and physical self a huge favor. Hit the delete button baby and get them the heck out of your life! Poison is for rats and other vermin, NOT for people with hearts and souls worth celebrating.