A Pre-existing Condition


Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 2, 2002

I am 25 and have been married for two years. This past August I began an affair with my husband's younger brother. I feel just terrible and want to end the relationship, but I feel I am in a hopeless situation.

The guilt is overwhelming, and I feel I need to come clean with my husband before I can get past what I've done and move on. However, I'm sure you can see the conflict. Since the affair involves someone so close to my husband, I don't know that we could ever get through this.

I don't want to destroy the relationship between my husband and his brother, not to mention that this news would destroy their entire family. I feel like I should divorce my husband, cut off all contact with him and his brother, and live with the consequences of my actions--loneliness, guilt, and the burden of my sins. Can you please help?

Kerri

Kerri, you want to whip yourself with a cat-o'-nine-tails, but this is not something to whip yourself about. It is something to understand. There is no point in becoming just another miserable person on the planet. Too many people already fit that category.

Your affair is not the problem. The problem started before that, and it involves what you brought to the marriage. When two people have that ultimate love which everyone craves, they never forget who they are married to. Forgetting the other person would be like forgetting their own name.

If you truly loved your husband, you couldn't have done this. If you hadn't done something so severe, he would want to work out your differences. Your reasons for marrying this man were not sufficient to sustain the marriage. So you sought a way out.

If you decide to divorce, you owe your husband an explanation. You may want to tell him you deceived yourself about your feelings for him. If he did nothing wrong, you need to tell him that.

It is up to you whether or not you admit sleeping with his brother. The question is, Does he need his brother more than he needs to know what his brother is like?

Perhaps you don't feel worthy of love. If that is the case, you need to explore this issue as well. The marriage you want is the opposite of what you did. Like every other human being you deserve love, not loneliness, guilt and anxiety. But until you understand why you acted, there is no way to end the cycle of doing wrong, then punishing yourself after the fact.

Wayne & Tamara

Silence Accepts

I have been dating Nick for over three years now. He is wonderful. One problem though. His family often makes very racist comments. Not just jokes, but mean-spirited comments. I have friends of many backgrounds, and I am deeply offended when I hear these things.

Nick does not have any racist feelings, so he is not part of the problem. At the same time, he never confronts his family about their hurtful comments. By letting his family know how I feel, I risk angering them and having them take it out on Nick, and I'd rather not do that. Should I say something?

Brooke

Brooke, some years ago I read a remark by the science writer Guy Murchie. He said that no one we see, no matter where they come from, can be less than about a fiftieth cousin to us.

Beyond that, nearly every spiritual tradition condemns this sort of prejudice. When Tamara and I run into this situation, we either speak up, or we get up and leave. People deserve to be judged on their individual merits, and remaining silent, denies our common humanity.

You and Nick are serious. You cannot allow this to continue. His family needs to understand that these remarks are unacceptable in your presence.

Wayne

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com" target="_new">www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Christ in Youth to host inspirational weekend at the Civic Center
Canton Daily Ledger
For more information, go to ciy.com/believe.com. More than 1000 junior high school-aged children will unite for the Christ in Youth (CIY) “2012 Believe: Word Tour” Feb. 10-11 at the Peoria Civic Center. The inspirational weekend provides high-energy, ...



EarCommunity.com Is First to Offer Support and Resources for Individuals and ...
MarketWatch (press release)
The new website provides practical information, advocacy resources, surgical and technology solutions, inspirational stories, news and latest research and most importantly, an opportunity for families and individuals to connect with a supportive online ...

and more »


FPA Announces Keynote Speakers for 2012 Annual Conference
Sacramento Bee
8, 2012 -- Carville & Matalin, Giunta, and Kashkari Bring Politics, Economics and Inspiration to One Stage DENVER, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) today announced the keynote speakers for FPA ...

and more »


IPPmedia

Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) secretary general Filbert Bayi
IPPmedia
Chairman of the London 2012 Olympics organising committee Lord Sebastian Coe said his committee through the International Inspiration (II) has a vision to transform the lives of over two million children of all abilities in the country through sporting ...

and more »


Dr. Tererai Trent, Founder of Tinogona, to Speak at Walden University Academic ...
Sacramento Bee
Inspirational voice for empowerment, education and change will address doctoral students on Feb. 18 in Atlanta By Walden University MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 7, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Tererai Trent, inspirational speaker and founder of the nonprofit ...

and more »


Aspire Goals 1.0 for iOS - Set and Achieve Goals Through Visualization
prMac (press release)
[prMac.com] Melbourne, Australia - Digital Oddities today is pleased to introduce Aspire Goals 1.0 for iOS, their new Productivity app for setting and achieving goals through motivational analysis and goal visualization. Achieving goals is 80% mental ...

and more »


Lincoln News Messenger

The discovery of running
Lincoln News Messenger
By Amanda Calzada Gold Country News Correspondent I let these inspirational words of Olympian Summer Sanders carry me a continuous 13.1 miles this past Sunday in Fleet Feet's 30th annual Davis Stampede. It was not only an honor to run in such a great ...

and more »


Five Things: Green Line Station, Back Yard Garden Design
Patch.com
Her talk, "garden design for your back yard," will include photos, inspiration and information about creating high or low maintenance gardens. The talk starts at 7 pm at the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St. Brett's new book, ...



Entertainment Calendar – Issue of Feb. 9, 2012
Pomerado Newspaper Group
For information about either event, call 858-513-2900. The San Rafael Catholic Church presents The Sung Contemplative Rosary, featuring The Sorrowful Mysteries of Lent, 7 pm Friday, Feb. 24. All are welcome to sing and pray along with members of the ...

and more »


Plain Dealer

Demetri Martin brings word play to PlayhouseSquare
Plain Dealer
Clint Eastwood delivered the most inspirational commercial ever during the Super Bowl. When you think about it, though, halftime in America isn't necessarily a good thing. Everyone is trying to use the bathroom at the same time and the entertainment is ...


Google News

lincolnhsbrooklyn.com ©