your quest for authenticity — whether they know it or not. It's important to be aware of these patterns and not allow "carriers of toxicity" to set you back. The four destructive behaviors are: 1. Overprotection The underlying message here is one of fear. "I don't want you to get hurt." "Trying something new could result in failure." This pattern is dangerous because it's often masked as love and concern and is therefore difficult to fight. 2. Power Manipulation In this form of sabotage, people attempt to take away your personal power in order to maintain their old relationship with you. They figure that if they treat you like a child, you will yield to their suggestions like a child. "What idiot told you it would be good to go back to school?" "Do you honestly think you'll keep the weight off?" 3. Leveling People who feel inadequate will sometimes try to "level" those who have what they want. Your success could pose a threat and cause them to sabotage you in any way they can in order to bring you down to their level. 4. Safety in the Status Quo People are comfortable with circumstances that they know, even if the circumstances are bad. A change for the better is still a change -- a complete threat to familiarity and the security of the status quo. Don't be surprised if others perceive your reconnection with your authentic self as something threatening that they need to destroy.