a lesson in self preservation

people let you down.

no matter what you offer, it's not right.

no matter what you give, it's not enough.

people are too busy to stay in touch. they forget your special events. they forget the names and ages of your children. they expect you to remember their special events. and their children. they expect you to stay in touch. you are expected to give, give, give, give, give.

you're expected to give of your time, your thoughts, your sympathy, your knowledge, your patience, your compassion, your money, your cds, dvds, baking trays, favourite shoes, size 0 baby girl gear, winter coat, your car, your cookies, your good coffee...and if you don't you're selfish. they'll tell people that. that you're selfish. that they just don't understand what's wrong with you. what's going on? what? she used to be there for me! hey! they used to have all the goss for me. hell! you guys used to sit and listen to my tales of woe over coffee! what happened?

let's not even mention the calls or the shopping centre pleas or the ads on tv. we sponsored a child until her community became self-sustaining (and we'd been broke for the past year). we have given gifts, cooked dinners, painted buildings, washed cars.....let's not get self-righteous.

we just got smart. and selfish. a little bit selfish. and now we don't have time for your tales of woe anymore. we're not even giving you another chance. we're here for each other and that's enough now. we're enough for each other. you cancel coffee, he's already made it. you can't make it to dinner, she's already served it. you don't listen. you don't stay. you don't just call. you don't just turn up. you don't book tickets to see our shows. you actually don't know what it is that we DO with our lives, do you? not really.

our lives are full. full of the people who reciprocate care and attention and patience and interest and love. there is no room for you. sad. for you. because who else will listen? who else will drop everything to have a coffee and just keep listening? who else? because everyone else is just as selfish as you have become.

the lesson? don't expect anything. you will never be disappointed.

the selfish people are apathetic and over dramatic...all this, from a self-confessed drama queen.