Abuse can take many forms. It always involves a boundary violation, although every boundary violation is not necessarily abuse.

— Adelyn Birch

Beware of relationships that substitute intensity for emotional intimacy.

— Adelyn Birch

Boundaries protect the things that are of value to you. They keep you in alignment with what you have decided you want in life. That means the key to good boundaries is knowing what you want.

— Adelyn Birch

If we're highly empathetic and emotionally sensitive we're at greater risk of becoming involved with a manipulator.

— Adelyn Birch

If you fear that defending your boundaries is being controlling, don't worry. There is a difference between being controlling and having boundaries. Controlling people is about telling them what to do. Setting boundaries is about saying what you do or do not want to happen to you.

— Adelyn Birch

Many of us find it hard to set boundaries and defend them because we fear doing so will cause rejection or abandonment. We may avoid confrontations to make things easier. We may feel guilt if we say no or if we think we might hurt someone's feelings. Furthermore, we fear boundaries will keep us from being loved.

— Adelyn Birch

Selfishness is self-absorption, self-seeking behavior that either disregards the rights and needs of others or tramples them deliberately in favor of personal gain.

— Adelyn Birch