Relationships Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

Are You Codependent or Independent?


Why is it that depending on others to fulfill our self worth isa concept that we all can relate to? Sacrificing what ourthoughts, emotions, decisions, and likes or dislikes are, forthe betterment of someone else's.

It is as if depending on the other person who you hold sohigh is more fulfilling then standing alone, independent ofthe other. It's root resides in a past when a person didn'trealize they really had wings that could fly. Therefore, forfear of abandonment, they suppressed their own self worth,avoided confrontation, and then continued to please whothey were dependent upon.

In contrast, the counterdependent person who has someonecodependent towards them, is pretending that they don'tneed anyone else and have concluded that people only needthem.

Both codependency and counterdependency are an internaldefense systems that shield and protect from past woundsof abandonment. They both are dysfunctional and lead thecodependent person down a tattered road of unfulfillmentand eventually depression.

Perhaps, it could be said that all of us are, to some degree,dependent upon others because, after all, we are socialcreatures who inevitably need each other in some capacity.

However, when it saps your very core of enjoying the giftof life God gave you, then the sun never rises and thedarkness only gets darker.

We came into this world alone and we will also leave thatway!

Inner strength comes from a true respect and love foryourself, no matter what the situation or condition is. Although, deep within many of our wounded souls, thatlove is not strong and therefore self respect is not properlyattained.

This is where your deep-seated self-worth is obtained andhow you perceive yourself. In addition, it is the weakenedaura you emit to others see you that is not totally erect, butsomewhat wilted.

Many of our true societal problems, whether they areinsecurity, control issues, codependency, addictions,manipulative personality disorder, seclusion, or simpleanger, stemmed from a lack of self love, self worth, andself respect.Hence, people replace one problem for the another!

If you are lonely inside and do not feel as though you canlove the real you, then any and all subsequent relationshipswill feel that same inner turmoil until your inside is trulyloved!

These social problems listed above can intertwine,commingle and cross each other's boundaries in a veryinsidious manner.

There is not one issue more serious than the other, they aremore or less on an equal plane and being dependent onanother, is certainly no exception.

By not allowing one's self-worth to be determined byanother's perceptions, by not feeling that being loved byanother is conditional on living up to the expectations ofothers, or merely pleasing them, is absolutely critical tohealthy functioning!

Taking full accountability for the way you feel instead ofothers making that discerning determination allows you tobe self dependent, kicks out the crutch, and makes youstand alone.

As scary as that may seem to some, it is by far the best wayto perceive your self-worth. Trusting that you can ownyour own emotions, whether they are anger, happiness,setting boundaries, or leaving, is how we can come to theserene life we always dreamed of as a child.

These decisions and self-adjustments for the better can bemade! It takes a personal acceptance and a subsequent lovefor yourself: then the fragile person previously tethering bya string, is now firmly tied unto itself, immersed in selfconfidence and independent, not codependent.

--by Brian Maloney-ValuePrep.comWant to improve your personal values?Get high-quality relationship advicefrom a 'Logical' standpoint. Visit ValuePrep - Improving Relationships

**Attn Ezine editors / Site Owners**Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.


MORE RESOURCES:

Washington Post

Rielle Hunter Gives Relationship Advice In GQ
YourTango
Rielle Hunter talks about love, magnetic fields and her star-crossed relationship with John Edwards. by Claire Daniel The quietly dignified Rielle Hunter ...
Rielle Hunter speaksmsnbc.com
Rielle Hunter's photo spread -- with childBaltimore Sun (blog)
Rielle Hunter Breaks Her Silence on Edwards AffairUs Magazine
Huffington Post (blog)
all 1,036 news articles »


The Spirit of Sympathy
New York Times
For decades, individual senators have resisted their leaders' attempts to run the Senate like the House and destroy these relationships and these humane ...

and more »


Being true to yourself guarantees a healthy romantic relationship
Daily News & Analysis
WASHINGTON: For better romantic relationships, be true to yourself, that's the suggestion of a new study. The study examined how dating relationships were ...

and more »


Zap2it.com (blog)

'House': Furniture and relationships aren't easy
Zap2it.com (blog)
She's all better with a little brain surgery, but the BF's relationship with his dad won't be such an easy fix. It looks like our young lovebirds will make ...

and more »


The Guardian

Gerard Butler Does Men's Journal, Talks Relationships Actor says he's too ...
Softpedia
Despite repeatedly insisting that there is nothing between him and co-star Jennifer Aniston than a purely platonic relationship, reports to the contrary ...
True love or photo op: can we really believe Jennifer's new romance?Irish Independent

all 359 news articles »


Exclusive: Tottenham Hotspur and San Jose Earthquakes Developing A Special ...
Huffington Post (blog)
But perhaps most important are the personal relationships and connections that are being established between the clubs. Redknapp explained that "It's also ...

and more »


Aamir Khan opens up about relationships. Is he lonely?
Entertainment and Showbiz!
Bollywood's biggest idiot (the star of 3 Idiots), the renowned megastar Aamir Khan (who just turned 45) talks of relationships during an interview as he ...

and more »


Relationships should be you and me, not we
Binghamton University Pipe Dream
This commentary doesn't only apply to women; men in relationships are included, too. Women can become arrogant and unappreciative when they get everything ...



HealthNewsDigest.com

British children: Bullying a top concern
UPI.com
Research conducted by Relate for Parents, a Web site dedicated to helping parents with family relationships, reveals that bullying is a major concern to 51 ...
Only 17% of Children Trust Dad for Advice About BullyingPR Newswire (press release)

all 12 news articles »


11-year-olds dating? New survey says YES!
Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation sponsored the poll and a new initiative in 11 cities to help tweens learn about healthy relationships. ...

and more »

Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006