Even if it’s cut/pasted from a site, like she told me, my Mother has always had WONDERFUL advice. I sometimes even use it! She sent me an Email that said:
Now that a new year is upon us, it’s a great time to clear out the old so that we can bring in the new.
People and relationships: Clear out the energy vampires in your life who drain and/or exhaust you. Spend more time with the people in your life who support and energize you. Cut back on the amount of time you spend with drama queens, constant complainers, whiners, “meanies”, and “gimmes“. Start saying “no” to people and commitments that no longer fuel you. It’ll feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but it will make room in your life for more fulfilling relationships.
That seems like super advice, to me. How often do you have someone in your life that you think is helping you–when all along they are truly only draining you of all your energy and keeping at you constantly with needs FROM you instead of assisting you in a balanced way? I have friends that are “gimmes” but they balance it out by letting me be a “gimme” at times, too. It’s those that only “gimme” and never give back that are the ones you should rethink being friends with.
I have always been one to think I could help others or save them from themselves…it usually gets me into friendships or relationships that are troubling. I realize now that unless someone desires that change in their lives, truly desires and is willing to take steps to change, they will remain the same forever. I’m all about second chances (and third, or fourth) to those that I know want to change. I feel it’s important, though, to sever ties with those that only want to take, take, take.