| You still recall the first time you and your significant | | | | and fears are there for your significant other to |
| other argued. It wasn't really over anything important. | | | | examine like they were doing a case study. Verbal |
| You didn't think so then and you still don't. That's | | | | abusers like to make you feel bad and knowing how |
| not how the other person took it. It wasn't that they | | | | you tick is a perfect way to accomplish it. |
| felt they had to win the argument but to win, it was | | | | But relationships are not supposed to be about a |
| necessary to humiliate you. | | | | CEO chewing out an employee. It's a give and take |
| You raised this point to them after things had cooled | | | | that demands both people respect each other. That |
| down but they dismissed it by saying it was no big | | | | means understanding that no one can be right about |
| deal (didn't seem that way at the time) or that you | | | | everything all the time. At given times in any dating |
| were wrong so they had to set you straight. | | | | relationship mistakes are going to be made and each |
| You let it go and figured it was just one of those | | | | of you will have to apologize for something at some |
| things. Regrettably it was one of those things; one of | | | | point. |
| those things that kept happening over and over again | | | | If you have mentioned this to the other person and |
| with alarming frequency and a lot more intensity. | | | | they still do not understand where you are coming |
| Every time you would point this out you got the | | | | from or refuse even do a little self assessment then |
| same excuses mixed in with a lot of defensiveness. | | | | you may want to give serious thought to the future |
| They also added a new wrinkle into the equation. It's | | | | of the relationship before another day goes by. |
| always your fault. They're so good at the power of | | | | If you like the person and want to continue than you |
| manipulation and words that at times you believe | | | | better develop a thick skin and the ability to tune |
| them. The problem is as of late you've started to | | | | them out when they get ramped up. Yes time and |
| believe them more and more. | | | | you may be able to change them but how much are |
| Empires have been built using words and | | | | you willing to take before that happens? |
| psychological manipulation. Using them in a relationship | | | | Just remember know one deserves to constantly be |
| which is depended on direct one on one contact can | | | | belittled. You are not a project that needs improving, |
| be a powerful and overwhelming force which can be | | | | you are someone that brings an equal amount of |
| difficult if not impossible to stand up to particularly | | | | good things to this or any relationship. If they can't |
| when it becomes entrenched in the relationship. | | | | see that then quitting the "company" may not be |
| It gets worse when you realize the other person | | | | such a bad idea. |
| knows you. Your likes and dislikes, dreams, hopes | | | | |