Unappreciated?

Dear Bowl,

I feel like I'm always there for people and go out of my way to make sure people are happy/comfortable, where is everyone when I need someone?


Dear Unappreciated,

I would suggest starting an advice blog; it really helps with the instant gratification thing in situations like this...

See, this feeling you are having: it is a Universal theme Ive come to realize. Everyone I know feels this way, so some of us have to be wrong, right? Well, yes and no.

A few things come into play here, the first being the concept of "love languages". Different people express their love in different ways, some with gifts, some with quality time, some with service. When our love languages don't add up, we can feel abandoned and neglected, when really it is a communication problem.

Another concept is the pace of today's society. Everyone is so stinkin' busy. Slights like this are normally not intentional, its just a timing conundrum.

Yet another part of the equation has to do with the fact that some people are just more capable than others. Some people have bigger hearts and better time management skills and more compassion. Feel blessed instead of cursed by this. Make sure to take care of yourself as well as you do your friends and family, and take good stock of what you are able to do for others with respect to your own life and health.

And then there is the best advice Ive ever been given on this matter. It is very simple: "Trust God and Love People". Without getting all preachy, this means that people are going to let you down. They are going to disappoint you. Love them anyway. But put your Trust in a place you can always count on.

I hope this helps, I feel like I was writing a letter to myself at the same time.

Sincerely,
Bowl-of-Rice