<U>
To clear things up</U> in terms of only having relationships with people that benefit you.
I mean making sure you're in a healthy relationship.
I certainly am not suggesting being friends with people just to 'get things out of them' like money, rides, favors, etc. No, that <I>
IS</I> selfishness.
What I mean is:
-Do they INSPIRE you?
-Are they KIND to you?
-Do they make you HAPPY?
-Do they make active attempts to be in the relationship with you?
The relationship doesn't need to be romantic; it could just be a friend calling you to get together or just to say hi. It's important that relationships are not all on one side, you only calling them, you only helping them, etc. <I>
That is what gets draining and is unhealthy. </I>
You should ask yourself occasionally:
Does my relationship with this person IMPROVE my quality of life in some way?
It's natural for all relationships to hit highs and lows and you shouldn't just hit the road when someone else needs you.
BUT, if there has been a consistent pattern that is negatively affecting you such as how they talk to you, or neglect you, or anything else that makes you feel bad or hurts you in some way, <I>
consider taking a break from that person. </I>
It doesn't matter to me whether it's your mother, your adult son, your wife, your co worker, if they are not healthy for you then distance yourself from them.
If it's impossible because of x and y circumstances, then do what you can to <I>
limit your interactions with them</I>. If the situation is bad enough, I would even change the circumstances that force me to be around them. For example, look for other jobs and quit once I found one, move somewhere else, or change my phone number.
These can be extreme paths but if the relationship is dangerous, negative, etc,
these big changes are for your own benefit. You just need to be strong enough to start them if and when you are able to realize it's for the greater good.
Hope this helps!
Be Well,
Be at Peace,
- Jessica
http://www.greatestkidsgames.com