Manipulation, what is it? Who defines it? I understand manipulation as the act of a person who wants to skew the view and receive favorable gains not earned. A manipulator uses craft to beautiful what may otherwise be undesirable to the naked eye. What I mean by “the naked eye” is the eye that sees the purity in a situation, person or thing of existence. In my own experience a manipulator is aware, sometimes by the access (knowledge) you gave them of a need you are lacking. We share our vulnerabilities with the wrong people thus gaining access to the desires of our hearts.
What advice would you give someone on how to protect themselves from a manipulator? I think back on my immediate thoughts after recognizing the behaviors that were masked as sincerity. So here is what I have learned:
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Talk less, don’t feel pressured to share what you are going through with everyone
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Be careful to listen to advice from someone who has not bared good fruit
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Recognize the difference between greed and earned
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Identify your support system before there is a need and categorize the people in your support system based upon their ability level. (e.g. Don’t take your financial questions to the support who is always short of finances,)
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Talk less and listen more to what is presented to you
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Believe who a person shows you they are not who they tell you they are.
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Are they lonely due to their inability to maintain a relationship? Do they seek out new commitments that turn into relationships that require them to give not just of their time but their emotions also?
This is a small list of how I examine my interactions with others. Everyone should not have access to who you are and what you possess. Please be wise in your actions, take your time by being anxious about nothing.
-Dr. K