Friday, September 23, 2011

The problem with People-Pleasing

“For as long as you can remember, you have been a pleaser, depending on others to give you an identity. You need not look at that only in a negative way. You wanted to give your heart to others, and you did so quickly and easily. But now you are being asked to let go of all these self-made props and trust that God is enough for you. You must stop being a pleaser and reclaim your identity as a free self.”


- Henri Nouwen

Commentary:

In the 12 step program, we talk about "people-pleasing" as a character defect. Because it is socially acceptable to be a people-pleaser many people do not see this as an issue which causes them to stumble in their sobriety and sanity. As a people-pleaser I recognize both the fault and the consequences.

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