What is Interdependence?

What is interdependence? Simply said, it is the opposite of codependence. Whereas codependence is about trying to get one's needs met by taking care of (or, adversely, bullying) others, interdependence is about taking healthy care of self with the result that there is overall gain in one’s community. But it is more than that: it is about living creatively and celebrating our uniqueness. It is as Victor Frankl wrote: “We [need] to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life … No man and no destiny can be compared with any other man or any other destiny. No situation repeats itself, and each situation calls for a different response.” When we respond to life with creativity and an open heart towards ourselves and others; when we encourage respectful relationships and, above all, responsible self leadership, we take the first steps towards interdependence.