How to Keep From Getting Let Down by People

We all hear little sayings that stick with us. One of those for me is "Don't make people a priority when they make you an option" I'm not even sure where I heard that, but it's so wise regardless. I mean don't put people up on pedestals and do anything they ask, accommodating them and whatnot, and they don't do the same for you. This is something that I had to learn the hard way.

Not everybody is as nice, polite, compassionate and giving as you are.

Read that one more time, Not everybody is as nice, polite, compassionate and giving as you are. And I'm not being bitter or whatever else you want to call it, but I have learned. Am I saying don't do nice things for people who you don't think will return the favor? Of course not, that's what Christianity is all about, or part of it anyway. Even the bible says invite people to dinner, and give people money who you KNOW can't pay you back. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is for that person (or those people) in your life, and yes we all have them, don't keep bending over backwards for them when they can't even be decent to you. Being nice and being a pushover are 2 totally different things. And if you keep doing all these nice things for people just because that's how you are, and a small part of you is hoping for the same gestures back, your going to be disappointed.

I heard a woman say that the way that we show love is the way that we want to receive it back, so if you like to give gifts, you feel that as an expression of love, and so goes on the list with affection and quality time, pretty much every thing you can think of. One of mine for sure is doing thoughtful things that show I care, and that I listen, like when my cousin comes over and I have to get up earlier than her, I don't turn on the lights, hoping not to wake her. But she isn't like me. So when I go over her house and she has to get up earlier than I do, she turns on every light imaginable.

So what am I trying to say? Don't expect people to be the way that you are. When it comes to people, it's better to not make any assumptions, or have any expectations, so you won't be let down. Because when you expect everyone to think the way that you do, you WILL be let down by their actions. And for those people that you do all those little things for, and in turn they never do anything, try not to do as much anymore. You make them so important, and they treat you like a stepchild in a Disney movie. Don't make people who don't really care a priority, sometimes you have to face the truth that sometimes we make others more important to us than we are to them. So take that knowledge and apply it accordingly. You'll find yourself a lot less disappointed, and a lot more independent.