As I began to feel more solid in doing my various non-law activities, my friends seemed to feel more solid about what I was doing as well and stopped carping about it. It really hit home for me with this experience how strongly my reality reflects my own emotional state.

I remember well my surprise at discovering in my early 30′s that some people, even relatives, didn’t have my higher good in mind. The hardest part of distancing myself from toxic people was changing the belief that a dysfunctional family and personal relationships was normal.

The great thing about growing in consciousness is not only do I see people and things more clearly, but I’m able to steer clear of unhealthy relationships. It’s not easy when some of these toxic people are close relations, but it’s absolutely essential to avoid them for my own well-being.

As for being part of the problem, we all are receiving some benefit–even though it’s wrapped in pain-when we stay in a toxic relationship. Once we can face our part in the dysfunction, we have opened the door to becoming healthier, even if that means ending the relationship.