Typically the games we play are designed to manipulate others for emotional support, indirectly extract approval from others, or inflate our self-esteem at their expense. Here are a few of the more common games that people play:

We do what we do because of who we are, not because of someone else’s behavior. We are responsible for our life, for our feelings, for our actions, for our self-esteem, for our beliefs, and for our response to those things that are out of our control. If we are overly influenced by our partner’s behavior, then we need to take responsibility for

Self-hate is deeply rooted in and continuously influenced by our behavior, even though we may not be aware of it. I am convinced that self-hate is one of the primary causes of relapse. A person simply does not feel worthy of recovery, worthy of getting better, worthy of receiving help, worthy of joy, happiness, success, freedom, and love. This

They are still trying to find perfect romance, perfect security, or perfect success, believing that once they acquire these things, they will be all right. Wrong! It is not what you have that will make you all right, it is who you are. It is how we deal with our feelings, our relationships, and feelings toward ourselves that will make us feel

a faith that there is a better and healthier alternative.

Growing up requires the ability to support ourselves in our growth with an unfailing commitment.

behavior, but we don’t yet have a better and healthier alternative available. We are betwixt and between. We are in limbo.

An existential crisis occurs when we let go of an unhealthy

We’ll want to avoid the feelings that surface from being in such a difficult position, but it is important to feel the desperation and anxiety that come from surrender.