Steve Horsmon knows it can be done and shows you how.
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I get to hear a lot of stories about men and marriage counseling—most not very good.
This is because a lot men of kind of suck at the counseling process.
They are way too passive and simply follow the lead of the counselor and their wife. They actually believe that the best solution is to passively become a cog in the wheel of a “healing process” created by someone else.
They simply “show up” with no agenda other than to cooperate and not make anyone madder than they already are. But, here’s the truth:
Nothing destroys your masculine confidence and optimism more than when you leave your leadership role to someone else.
That’s exactly what Brian was doing for months, until last week. He was mad at himself for how he had been showing up.
Brian decided it was time for a change. It was time to take the lead – no matter what happened next.
When men contact me looking for help it’s usually right around this time.
They’re done with wishy-washy. No more walking on eggshells.
It’s time to go big or go home.
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It Was Time for Real Feelings and Real Truth.
Brian told me he was sick and tired of the “wheel spinning” going on in his counseling sessions. The exercises started out interesting, but he and his wife, Marcy, always ended up back in the same spot.
What would he yell from the roof tops if he could bust through his fears and the constraints of the counseling process he felt were tying his tongue?
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They were given tools to use at home that involved proactive efforts at appreciation and listening. They tried keeping a schedule of times meant for emotional connection and sharing their feelings. And Brian was getting really good a using “I feel…” statements to diffuse any unintended feelings of blame.
But to Brian it all felt mechanized and contrived. His efforts to connect felt devoid of real feelings and real truth. It wasn’t authentic. And he was just now becoming clear that authenticity is what mattered most to him. It was the one thing he was starved for in his 15-year marriage.
He was ready to open up the flood gates even if she wasn’t. He was going to lead the way even if she wouldn’t follow him.
I asked him to tell me what he would say if he could be 100% authentic.
What would be his most raw and vulnerable thoughts?
What would he yell from the rooftops if he could bust through his fears and the constraints of the counseling process he felt were tying his tongue?
He started slowly. Then, with a little help he gained some serious momentum.
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Brian Speaks His Bold Truth for the First Time.
Brian told me, “I don’t know, exactly. I’ve been on my heels so long trying to figure her out and make her happy, I’m not used to saying what I think and what I want. I’m getting a whole lot clearer now, but I’m afraid to say it. I’m afraid to tell her my expectations for the kind of loving, respectful, supportive, intimate and passionate marriage I really want – for both of us!”
I wanted to clarify his fears and asked, “So, you’re afraid to admit you desire love, respect, support, intimacy and passion?”
I’m in love with all of that at this moment, but I’ve allowed her to push me back into being a man I never wanted to be.
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He said, “Yes!”
I clarified again, “And you’re afraid to say this in front of the only human being currently in your life who is qualified to share that with you?”
“I know. But what if she leaves me? Sounds stupid, right?” he replied.
“Pretty much.” I confirmed. “You’re afraid she’ll leave you because you want a normal, healthy marriage with her. Makes no sense.”
“You’re afraid to ask for what you want because she may react badly to it. But, from my experience with men, one of the leading causes of divorce is their FEAR of divorce. It makes you play small. It keeps you from taking the lead and saying what you want to say and being who you want to be. It happened to me too. I get it.”
Then he really got fired up.
“Well, dammit, I’m not scared anymore. I want to tell Marcy that I’ve loved her since day I saw her. I should tell her that I’ve always been in love with her beautiful face, her fiery mind and bossy-pants attitude. I’m in love with all of that at this moment, but I’ve allowed her to push me back into being a man I never wanted to be.
Somehow I’ve lost the confident guy she fell in love with. But, I’m finding him again. I’m going to tell Marcy I’m not perfect and never will be. But I’m working on being better every day. And I’m starting with grabbing my balls back! She won’t intimidate me anymore because I respect myself too much. I want her badly but I don’t need her to have the life I want.
And I know I have to respect her feelings. Marcy can’t make herself want to be with me. All I can do is tell her what she can expect if she makes that choice. I will learn from my mistakes – but I will not dwell on them. We both need to let go of past hurts in order to move forward with more love.
You can only speak your truth. Be crystal clear about what you want and what you expect of yourself.
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One thing is not negotiable for me. I will be with a woman who wants to make the choice every day to co-create love, respect, trust, support, intimacy and passion.
I want that with Marcy so much – it’s always been her. And I want all that for her as well. If she makes it clear she doesn’t want that with me, I love her enough to let her go find it somewhere else. She shouldn’t fear what other people think. I will defend her choice and not blame her for the pain we’ve both endured. It doesn’t make either of us a bad person and I will defend her right to have the life she wants.”
I asked Brian, “What’s one good reason you won’t say it just like that next week at counseling?”
He paused and said, “There is none.”
Next: “A few weeks later.”
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Outstanding article. I made mistakes at work, it was ugly and led to getting fired, with my firing I left my balls at work. I was crippled by it and with my wife making more money I suddenly felt subservient instead of an equal partner in the marriage. This created even more of a mess because I artificially gave her power over me and was so worried about being “wrong” on anything I would rather lie. Of course this was an excellent way of getting me booted out of the house and on the road to divorce. I am back… Read more »
Hmm, I know a good marriage counselor he could see. But it sounds like you’ve got him in a pretty good place 🙂 Hope you’re doing okay, buddy!
Love this!!! Show up! Be engaged and fearless! Not in a way that makes us fear for our safety, but in a way that exudes confidence and self-assuredness, not cocky and arrogant, which makes you look immature and pitiful. It makes you hella sexy and leaves us feeling safe to be vulnerable, when you put the real you on the line. We know we are flawed, ALL of us are, and always will be. BUT what we want is engagement; let us know you’re here, and not going anywhere, but willing to show up every day ready to make things… Read more »
Thanks, Pam. Great feedback. And I’ll speak for the guys in saying that a strong, loving, open-hearted woman who shows up for us can inspire us to be that foundation.
I appreciate your feedback so much!
Yes, we are all flawed.
But where is the space allowed for a man in a relationship to BE flawed?
To be open about his flaws, doubts and shortcomings, in a relationship where he is Always expected to be The Confident and Self-assured Leader??
I LOVE this! Thanks for your thoughts and great insights, Jose!
This applies directly to the fear of divorce.
“I one learned that the samurai were such deadly warriors because they had nothing but contempt for death and were prepared to face it at any time.”
I one learned that the samurai were such deadly warriors because they had nothing but contempt for death and were prepared to face it at any time. This article illustrates exactly what I recently discovered, after three different therapists over the last four years of therapy. The fourth one was so good we only saw her twice, one for each of us. But what really made a difference both for my wife and for me was simply what this article describes: At one point seeing that enough is enough and taking the lead. After feeling exactly as Brian describes for… Read more »
Awesome article Steve! The real reason most marriage counseling doesn’t work is that it focuses on ‘fixing’ the relationship when the real issues that need to be fixed have to do with the two people as individuals. We all are a little broken (more or less), we all have issues and baggage and when we bring this into a relationship, it’s nearly impossible to fix it without each part working on their own stuff. When the people involved, in this case, Brian, can sort out their own issues, then then can generally work together to fix the relationship. A very… Read more »
Thanks, buddy. Hope you’re doing well and fired up on the other side of the big pond.
My wife and I went to counselling a few years ago and frankly it was the worst experience of my life. From the questions I was asked by the counsellor I felt like I was on trial for murder the counsellor was the prosecutor. I knew it was going to be a mistake when we signed up because the counsellor ‘interviewed’ my wife a few days before our session and I only found it when we got to our joint session. She never interviewed my one on one. I thought this was very strange, in fact so did my wife.… Read more »
Dang, Zygor,
That’s some pretty bad luck. I know number of outstanding counselors who don’t bring a personal bias to the process. They challenge each person to face the truth about who they are choosing to be in the marriage. Then they help each person discover their personal power in changing the energy in the marriage without waiting for the other to go first.
If you’re still looking for a good one, let me know. I’ve got some names for you. I’ve chosen to work exclusively with men, so I don’t do couples coaching.