If you live in the 21st century, you may have noticed that everyone has an agenda. Everybody who can be bothered talking to you wants something from you, whether they know it or not. Mostly these things are simple...directions, product inquiries, general, likely "work-related" things. You certainly want these same things from others! It's all good. However, come Christmastime, the people that want stuff from you seem to multiply. The usual demands one experiences are still there, but then there's always a huge rush of holiday people who want things as well. Not just consumers, either! Friends, family, people on the street, they all want at least your attention (and probably also your money) for longer than usual. Then of course there are the businesses. Every one striving oh-so hard to get you to come inside and give them all your cash. Each one like a vampire sucking away your time and earnings for whatever must-have garbage is available right now. If you fail to co-operate you get labelled "Scrooge" or worse (let's say probably worse these days, but I'll keep it polite here).
Anyway, again, it's no big deal. I don't begrudge these things at all, normally. It's the human condition and "everyone" includes you and I, so who are we to judge? We all want things from our fellow man, whether they be material, ethereal or otherwise (IS there an otherwise?). Likewise we all have things to give! I guess (and I realize I run the risk of sounding selfish and whiny. A risk I run every week while writing, I suppose) lately I just feel like people are far more focused on what they can get than what they can give. I generally feel, particularly at this time of year, as though everyone demands something from me but very few step back and wonder what I need or what they could do for me. Not that I want or need very much of anything at all. I just wonder if maybe we've all gotten a little too selfish lately?
Actually, it's probably just me. I'm not Christmas-y enough this year. I am usually happy to give anything and enjoy being needed or useful or generous. This year I just feel tapped out. Not financially, but with my energy levels and my general ability to care. It's like I cared too much for a while and now I've burnt out the circuitry that gives a crap. All the normal, usual demands that people make on my time feel strangely like impositions, all the stuff that I'd normally be happy to do seems like a huge lot of work and effort for little gain. Just answering a phone call seems like too much work suddenly. I don't know. I guess maybe I just need some time to recharge. There are more demands than usual on me currently and there is less time to recover every day than I am used to. These things take a toll.
Well, I'll just have to buck up, I guess. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Christmas only comes once a year. Is it strange that my first thought when I hear that is "Thank God!"?
I find it happens all the time not just Christmas. Friends are about sharing more then give and take. I find that when one takes more or expects more then it's time to reflect on what the friendship is about. Sometimes it's not worth being around somene when it's just take take take. Really and truley friends should not expect anything except just to be friends, Also try having some "me" time once and a while. take a trip by yourself or lock your doors and turn off your communication devices. it sound selfish but it's good and healthy to take time from others dmd reflect on what u want in life.
ReplyDeleteGood advice!
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