Originally Posted by
rayofsunshine 
I felt like he was trying to play a sympathy card
Funny you should mention that..... One of the biggest steps in my spiritual growth was learning to recognize when someone was trying to manipulate me with guilt. What I learned was that actions I took because of guilt led me STRAIGHT to resentment (do not pass go, do not collect $200!) Such a simple concept, but absolutely life-changing when I figured it out!
I had allowed people to walk all over me for the better part of my life. That was one of the reasons that I ended up hating myself more than anyone else. That stopped on a dime once I was finally able to spot it.
The other thing that I was a total sucker for was being manipulated by the words, "I love you!" I would tell myself, "Yeah I shouldn't let him get away with this
but he loves me....." (as if he were the only one in the entire world who could manage to love a mess like me) and off I would go to do something else I didn't want to do. I always felt like such a wimp.
But not any more!
Our lives with our addicts has made us sadder, but most assuredly WISER!
Hugs,
Babs