Refuse to Be Used*

It is perfectly admirable and highly recommended to do for others and be willing to give, share, and love abundantly, however, you should have some boundaries and limitations as well. Know the difference between being a good friend, companion, confidant, or resource and being used. Yes, it is a rewarding feeling to have advised, supported, assisted, or aided another in some way, and perfectly acceptable to be willing to lend a helping hand. However, some people can sometimes be completely open to receiving the benefits that come with knowing you and having you in their life, but not in your cheering section. There will always be the kind of people that are entirely motivated by self-preservation, egocentricity, selfishness, vanity, and flat out narcissism. They are perfectly capable of taking complete advantage of you whenever possible, disrespecting your space, time, and limitations repeatedly and frequently. Those people are thoroughly unaware of boundaries and fully intent on using you at every turn, for any reason, and always to their benefit with little to no regard for you. Those people are perfectly okay with maintaining a lop-sided relationship with you. Those people are called the Leechers. They are content with being takers and very rarely even notice their flaws, indiscretions, betrayals, attempts at manipulation, lies, or transgressions against you. As unfortunate as that reality may be, know that there will also be the people that accept, appreciate, give to you without expectation of some sort of compensation, and forgive you if you make a mistake, that support, encourage, and love you beyond and without condition. These people are truly compassionate, equally giving, and have no ulterior motive than being a positive pleasant, loving addition to your life. These are the people you hold close, near, and dear. Even if they are few in numbers their presence in your life is one of God's greatest gifts to humanity and particularly a special gift to you. You must cherish them. Take a moment, as often as you can and observe the relationships you forge. Know that from time to time you will experience the immense unconscionable disrespect of a leecher and their seemingly lack of awareness only adds insult to injury. The violation of your relationship and trust may knock you off guard completely, but thankfully, your cheerleaders will catch you every time. Speaking of time, time is so precious,  and we have no idea how much of it we have left. Do not waste your precious gem of a life being taken advantage of. Refuse to be used and live a life of peace, purpose, balance, and joy as often as you can and love as many you can find deserving of it.