my experience with influence

I think Tuesday's discussion was very interesting. I felt I really connected with this lecture because it seemed totally relevant to what I am currently going through in my relationship. I have recently noticed and become aware of the principle of least interest. And how much it works, sad to say. But I say that having been on the short end of the stick as well. I always end up caring "too much" in a relationship and it I feel that it ends up being my downfall. In the past, when I showed how much I cared/expressed all my feelings, that other person has used that to their advantage, because they know I care "x" amount, and used it against me. In addition, that person also knew they could use coercive influence on me, saying if I don't do this, or stop doing this, then they wouldn't do that, or they would break up with me, etc. Which then put me in a deeper whole because they had all that power over me. Then it comes to a point where you're fed up with it. You decide your not going to take that treatment from them anymore (of course after failing time and time again to leave that person), but you finally stand up for yourself and they are speechless because they know they dont want you to leave. You now have the power... And the roles are reversed. It is unfortunate that the relationship is turned into a game like that, because feelings get too involved and someone, if not both, end up hurt... Just my experience...