“Imagine you are walking in the woods and you see a small dog sitting by a tree. As you approach it, it suddenly lunges at you, teeth bared. You are frightened and angry. But then you notice that one of its legs is caught in a trap. Immediately your mood shifts from anger to concern: You see that the dog's aggression is coming from a place of vulnerability and pain. This applies to all of us. When we behave in hurtful ways, it is because we are caught in some kind of trap. The more we look through the eyes of wisdom at ourselves and one another, the more we cultivate a compassionate heart.” WayLooksHeartKindEyePainImagineTreeDogWalkingApproachSittingConcernAngryCaughtLegsWoodsMoodTeethBehaveVulnerabilityFrightenedCompassionateAggressionTrapsHurtfulThrough The EyesSmall Dogs Author:Tara Brach
“Emotional dependence is the opposite of emotional strength. It means needing to have others to survive, wanting others to "do it for us," and depending on others to give us our self-image, make our decisions, and take care of us financially. When we are emotionally dependent, we look to others for our happiness, our concept of "self," and our emotional well-being. Such vulnerability necessitates a search for and dependence on outer support for a sense of our own worth.” GivingWellsLooksMeanSelfCareDecisionSupportEmotionalConceptsOppositesTake CareWell BeingVulnerabilityBeing YourselfDependentDependenceEmotional StrengthEmotional Well BeingDepending On Others Author:Sue Thoele