Originally Posted by
LaTeeDa 
Just because some of my traits have manifested in codependent behaviors, doesn't mean I have to obliterate those traits. I just have to learn how to use them in healthy ways.
This is along the lines of what I believe. Caretaking- for instance- is not a bad thing when you are dealing with a child- but when you start doing it with an adult- it's a useful trait that goes haywire.
I am also a perfectionist in many ways- at work or school- a good thing. . . but like LTD said, I find it's not a good thing when I start to expect too much from myself. I can get a "B" in a class and be ok with it, but I didn't used to feel that way.
I think co-dependent behaviors are ok in certain situations and in small doses, but if you are dealing with an addiction, those behaviors tend to increase over time and get blown way out of proportion. The bottom line for me these days is to take care of myself and leave others to take care of themselves. That's not selfish- it's the way it should be.