SOURCE: Dr. Henry Cloud
Codependency is something that often that needs to be addressed because it can be a huge obstacle in your life, and learning to say no is crucial to removing this obstacle.
Codependency is most simply defined as a tendency to take too much responsibility for the problems of others.
While it’s good to care for, help and support people, the codependent crosses a line in the relationship – the line of responsibility. Instead of being responsible “to” others, the codependent becomes responsible “for” them. And, unless the other person is your child or someone whose care is entrusted to you, the line of responsibility between the to and the for can become quite blurred. The result is that instead of caring and helping, you begin enabling and rescuing.
Enabling and rescuing do not empower anybody. They only increase dependency, entitlement, and irresponsibility.
Love builds up strength and character, whereas codependency breaks them down.