Become healthy through unlearning...

Yesterday I was observing my daughter playing with her friends and I saw some very interesting interactions. My daughter is a four year old emotional manipulator! :-) I observed that she made some suggestions to her friends, but they didn't buy the idea, and immediately she folded her arms, sat down and pouted. Her friends immediately came to her and decided to do what she suggested. I know that my daughter will keep on doing this to her friends because it works! She has tried to do this at home but it never works.

In the adult world, people at the workplace and in relationships do the same thing. They are like little children in adult bodies. They pout or give people the silent treatment when things don't go their way, and I think most people learned this from a young age, just as my daughter is learning. Why do people give in when someone mis-behaves? For the most part, I think most people are afraid to be rejected, they are afraid that if they don't give in they will lose something. The emotional manipulator and the enabler are equally responsible for the unhealthy behaviour and responses, they play up each other's weaknesses and fears. And this is why romantic relationships and working relationships at the office can become toxic and dysfunctional.

It is strange but true that people who have healthy relationship practices are in the minority. And the same minority group started out by unlearning what the world has taught them.

As a life coach myself, it looks like I have my work cut out for me to undo what my daughter is now learning in the world we live in. Wish me luck! :-)

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