Is someone else holding your puppet strings?  Do you feel sometimes like that person has control over you?  Just by the way he or she makes you feel?  If so, then you are likely in a controlled and abusive relationship with a person who is emotionally manipulative.

It isn’t always easy to spot the signs.  But if you think back, do you find that you have ignored your own feelings as a result of the emotions someone else is delivering?  That your feelings about the situation don’t seem to matter?  Or feel coerced into doing something, time and again, as a result of the emotional reaction of the other person?  You are likely then involved with someone who is good at manipulating you emotionally.

Maybe at work, home, or with a friend.  Maybe even a family member.  There are reasons that this person behaves the way they do, and it is likely due to something really deep down inside of themselves.  But if how they behave is unhealthy for you, then you need to find the strength to make it stop. 

Emotional manipulation can look and feel like many things, but it almost always appear to have your best interest at heart.  Deceiving you, and tempting you into believing that whatever he or she is saying, is what they believe to be good for you.

The thing is though, that you know what is good for you.  At least, better than someone else ever could.  “I know what’s best for you” is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.  Even knowing this, we still fall victim to the abuse.  One thing for certain is that you are not going to be able to change the other person.  You can try to explain how you feel, however that will unfortunately not provide any sense of relief.  Someone who will manipulate emotions is doing it for only one reason, and that is for their own personal satisfaction and gain.  As much as that person might appear to care about you, and they likely do, it screams volumes that he or she is not showing you respect.  So what do you do?

You really only have two choices.  Stay in it, or don’t.  Not as easy as it sounds, I realize.  However it will amaze you how courageous and strong you will feel when you realize the depth of your own part in the abuse.  Sadly, there are two sides to the interaction and one of those sides is you. 

Real love comes from the heart.  A place that does not know manipulation, but rather honesty and unconditional love.  Look to that place in your own heart.  The courage and strength needed to let go of the fear of change is right there.  That is the place where resiliency is fueled to support you in your journey.  A journey whose traveller deserves to be treated with respect and love.  Both by you, and others.