Sometimes the people in your life that you do the most for don’t recognize the sacrifices you have to make in order to accommodate their needs.
Sometimes you want to outline it for them so they could have a clear picture, but at the same time you aren’t comfortable throwing things you have done for people in their face.
On the same token you also should not have to remind people what you have done for them. They should already know and be 💯 aware.
When someone does something for me I’m extremely thankful because I understand they did not Have to do anything for me.
No one does. People don’t have do anything for anyone. When they do they are making an effort out of kindness.
I understand that they either spent their time, money, effort and resources on me
and I do all that I can to show appropriate appreciation.
I also learn from those that do for me and understand that it’s up to me to #1 show appreciation but maybe more importantly pay it forward.
I also understand that if a person Does for me today but can’t do for me tomorrow- I have NO right to get mad. I am not entitled to anyone else’s anything!
When I was brought up although I still managed to make a lot of mistakes- I still tried to be the type of person that never is disrespectful or rude or ungrateful.
It’s hard to impress that upon people especially young people today.
It’s like kids and some adults today EXPECT what ever they desire or request.
They don’t understand that people have to bust their asses for everything they have.
And if someone gives them their desire it usually means that person is forfeiting something they could have done for themselves in order to do for them instead.
Sadly though as I said it’s not just kids or youth that are ungrateful- it’s also other adults. Grown ass people- who should know better.
My question I guess is- how to we teach folks in general about appreciation and respect for the sacrifices others make for them?
Some say stop doing for them. Some say just say NO next time. But in doing that I’d be compromising who I am.
I enjoy being a person who is generous and thoughtful. I enjoy helping others solve problems and obtain their desires and needs.
So do I turn cold and become an ass hole? No of course not.
But do I continue being the nice guy and continue getting mistreated because of it? Because after all to be ungrateful is to mistreat someone.
How do we teach the world gratefulness and appreciation?
Is it even possible they can learn if it does not come naturally?
What do you think?
Are you a grateful or ungrateful person?
I think It’s something we should really figure out as a community.
Tracie Bernardi Guzman 
Hi, I really struggle with this also. A sense of entitlement instead of gratefulness is rampant unfortunately in today’s society. I try my best to follow what the Bible says and do what I know pleases God so be kind, love others. HE sees all and judges both me and the other person that isn’t being nice. Therefore, I don’t need to judge them. When I’ve had too much of it, I go off by myself and do things that replenish me and make me happy. And I pray for the person who is being self centered that God will bring that sin to light for them. Great post!
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Thank you!! Very beautiful way of responding to this behavior. Your comment is much appreciated !!
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I’m in the “go off by myself” mode right now. Ha I have a family member whose listening skills are that of a gnat. Gets old and I need to heal from days of that so I explained how I feel and am doing my own thing. Do you have non-listening people in your world?
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So I def had some but I grew tired of them mostly people who ask for help but don’t heed any of the solutions I take the time to research and offer. I don’t necessarily cut them out however I also no longer rush to assist them. If people are not willing to initiate helping them selves. There isn’t much I can do for them. I just sit back and let their mess play out. Not sure if it’s the same thing you are speaking on but… I hope that things are better for you. Sometimes separation is the only way to go- you can’t let others take away your peace.
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Hi! You describe things perfectly that I experience and is probably so common! You relate well. I am picking up that you do all you can for your people, if you even spend time researching. That is kind and God sees that, even if it isn’t appreciated. In that instance, I used to “not” tell my offending person that I did spend lots of researching and would be resentful that it wasn’t appreciated. Then I told him and we talked it through. I found out that he just isn’t like me, carefully choosing the right doctor or whatever. Like you, now I spend my time on good things like my new Bible study, feel grateful that I have more time, feel respectful that he gets to make his own choice and pick a doctor randomly (even though that’s not the correct choice haha) and have a good joyful attitude. So I absolutely agree with you!
I learned a valuable lesson yesterday after my husband’s and my disagreement on a topic that is a core issue, our spiritual differences. Overall, I need to lessen my one quality of mothering and trying to teach him. In the past, if he doesn’t get my lessons, I get upset. That’s not unconditional love. I figured out that like you are saying, let go. Just be me.
In yesterday’s problem example, I will now show him how excited I am to read a Bible verse instead of stating how I wished we were closer spiritually and I have little hope he’ll ever be a believer. It freed me. I was wasting mental energy on things I can’t control (wishing he was a believer), when I can use that same energy on that things that make me shine. And shining is contagious.
Today, I will be grateful for everything God gives me and be me. I think it is ok to say, “I’m really feeling good and I don’t want to enter into a disagreement. I’m going to go read or hike (or whatever I like.)” What’s your opinion? Do you state your mind in a non-confrontational way? This attitude is new for me (joyful, no one is breaking my spirit attitude). I have mostly gotten aggravated, have a tone and sound like “You are bothering me, I can’t handle you and you’re a jerk.”
Write when you can, sorry this is long but your reply came at the perfect time to share my new stuff! 😀 May God bless you!
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