Originally Posted by
Phoenixthebird 
JW123,
One of the most important lessons that I learned from attending Alanon and SR is when a codependent said, "I have learned that all the parts of my personality that I thought were my greatest strengths were actually also my greatest weaknesses. Always being the best friend anyone ever had, always doing whatever anyone asked of me, and always putting other's needs before my own were holding me back."
Just had to say, Wow, that is a powerful statement. It describes exactly how I feel and it is hard to see that all those "great" qualities that you receive praise for your whole life can be self-destructive if you don't take care of you first.