Do any of the people you're in a relationship with continually confuse and baffle you, or continually drain you of energy? Do you ever feel no matter what you do, or give to someone, it is never enough? Do you feel you have to continually prove your love, or loyalty to someone? Co-dependent relationships where you're playing the rescuer are those characterized by a kind of dysfunctional helping behavior. Playing out the role of the ‘white lady’ rescuer, or savior complex, can become quite self destructive if allowed to go unchecked. These types of behavioral relationships are those in which one person supports, enables, or otherwise makes excuses for another person's addictive behavior, immaturity, irresponsibility, under achievement, or poor mental...

This third stage of healing of the shadow is characterized by negotiating or buying your way out of the situation. You trade off taking a "good look" at what's beneath the "shadow" and becoming completely aware of the truth, so that healing may occur, for a temporary high or feeling of safety.  Addictions of all kinds including retail therapy, food binging, alcohol and drugs are a few favorite ways of bargaining and distracting yourself from facing the truth. We’ll see and accept "this" much, but no more. We can only allow ourselves to become aware of so much of the truth. The third stage of healing the shadow is characterized by tremendous suppression of guilt and shame. You may suddenly...