Embrace the beast within

growling and biting with love

Early on in our intimate relationships, it’s fairly normal to get in scrambles, disputes and fights with our new partner.

Sure, during the initial phases we are all hopped up on the chemical dump of love. Or intoxicated by lies, sex, and hope.

Hope is likely the biggest drug of all.

Hope this will be the one.

Hope that maybe we won’t screw this one up.

Hope that will finally be allowed to be ourselves.

Hope that this relationship will not be disappointing.

But every relationship gets disappointing sometime.

In our outrage at the imperfection of our existence, and that this perfect person, this perfect partner is letting us down? We we become outraged and start fighting vicious.

If you are in a long-term intimate relationship, you understand, viciousness. The viciousness of attack. The viciousness of withdrawal and absence, you understand it all.

The early years of a long relationship are frequently the most difficult. It’s reasonable, you’re just getting started together. You haven’t learned ho…