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When I was younger I gave anything and everything to people I thought they needed and always justified it by thinking "they need it worse than I do". If anyone showed the least interest in anything I had, I'd give it to them. Unfortunately sometimes they didn't need it worse than I did. I also eventually realized I was trying to "buy" friends.
Once there was a lady who had lost her job and was alone and depressed, etc. I didn't have much money myself but did have a little truck and gas was cheap. I'd call her several times a week and invite her to go for a ride some where just to get her out of the house a bit and keep her spirits up. Often we would go to a mall and window shop or people watch or whatever. I'd buy her lunch when I could and felt that I was doing a good thing.
Well, this lady landed a good job in a law firm and I was thrilled for her. I called and congratulated her and invited her to go for a ride somewhere. She said "there's nothing I hate more than window shopping" and slammed the phone down. How soon we forget, huh?
I'm a bit more discerning about what I give away now and really don't have anything anyone would want anyway...I don't even want it. hehe I've never been materialistic (except now I have to have a computer if nothing else) and I'm thankful for that. I live a near monastic exsistence and that's fine for me. I still try to help people when I can but not to the point where I will put myself in a real bind, or end up with not enough to eat, etc. I find it amazing, however that some people seem to be soooo needy/greedy. I no longer "loan" anything because I never get it back...especially money. A wise person told me "never loan any more than you can afford to be without".
My point is that it seems the more I try to help someone, the more they expect. If I give someone something once they seem to thik I'm good for it anytime they want it so they don't need to budget for it or make an effort to take care of themselves.
Everyone here is on a fixed income and I understand that. I make less per month than most. In fact I'm not sure how I make it because on paper it just doesn't add up. But I do make it and manage to help someone else on occasion. I just wonder why some people would rather take from other people as much and as often as they can? I suspect they have their own money somewhere but save it and make others take care of their needs.
Thought for the day:
How does using people make you feel? How does helping others make you feel?
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Posted by seniorlady on 2007-11-16 20:26:03 | Rating: | Views: 96
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I enjoyed reading your blog tonight.
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Posted by kathyjoyful2day
on 2007-11-16 20:38:36
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hi again lady!
it's a shame, what you say, but it's true. there's always gonna be someone ready to take something from you. but it's also up to you not to let them do that to you. the wind blows in both ways.
it's a good post. definitely.
:o)
cheers!
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Posted by badlydrawnstickman
on 2007-11-16 20:49:12
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People never appreciate what is free. Advertising pays for newspaper operations, but they charge that 75 cents or whatever solely to give their product value to the consumer.
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Posted by HungryHeart
on 2007-11-16 23:30:18
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Good reading - as Stickman says - blows both ways - I am also learning to say no - to be more careful.
have a good one. :)
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Posted by 2rivers
on 2007-11-17 04:02:22
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