RE: THE DANGERS OF GOODWILL.....My Opinion
That's a great attitude Mere....seriously. When I got burned it threw me for a loop dee loop. I was shocked to the gills. I didn't get bitter, just better at recognizing things for the way they were. And I made a decision to give when I felt compassion towards someone or something in person rather than waiting for someone to ask. Also, sometimes I feel a "check" to not give.....like a red flag warning or something.
It's just my way of protecting my things so I can be a good steward of what I have. I feel like the teacher on Charlie Brown right now.....wah wah wah wah wah...making no sense because I am tired.
I just wanted to put my experience out there for consideration in case anyone else had a similar experience or who felt guilty for saying no.
Your post definitely resonated with me because of some bad past experiences - not of the giving but being stolen from. And no one likes to be duped. It leaves a bad taste in one's mouth.
That's generally the problem - a "NO" should be just as easy as a "YES" - but for most of us it's not! WHY? It took me a lot of years to say NO and I'm the black sheep of the family because I dare to stand my ground. But I'm a healthier and happier person for it.
Always listen to your gut. In my experience, the gut is way smarter than the head or heart. And never feel guilty for protecting yourself and your things. No one else will do it for you.
I suppose I should extend that to those who say YES? No guilt.
Saying NO is hard.....for so many reasons and I'm sure you know them all seeing as you stood your ground with family. I'm the black sheep too!!! Isn't that weeeerd???
And you're right on about listening to your gut....or wise mind, or the middle ground, or whatever people are calling "it" today. Listening to emotions aren't good - they are so flimsy and fickle, changing with the wind. And our head - way too rational on it's own. I know these things. How? I just do :) I have Gesso , that's why.
I love you, @countrygirl - and I don't care if we've never met.
I don't have real Gesso but I have honest to goodness baby powder -- good for anyone with butt hurt. LOL
...aaaand that's why YOU know things....you have baby powder....these things make sense to people like us. They just do.