Confessions of a Total Pushover

I am a total pushover.

I am too trusting.
I am too hopeful.
I am too sympathetic,
I am too sensitive.
And I am too nice.

That's not to say that I am completely naive or clueless when I put my unconditional trust in others. I'd like to say that most of the time everything works out great and I end up the big winner. But truthfully, that's not usually the case.

I'd also love to tell you that even though I've been taken advantage of time and time again, I end up feeling like "well, at least I really helped someone!" 

But that's not the case either. You see, there is a BIG difference between helping someone who genuinely needs the help, and being taken advantage of by someone who is genuinely just taking advantage.

We've all been there. 

We've all "loaned" money to someone who never had any intention of paying us back. 
In sales, we've given away product after product, and bought and bought, to support our "friends."
In relationships, we've been lied to, manipulated, and used for one thing or another.
In parenting, we've caved to our kids' demands to keep the peace.
At work, we've allowed others to take credit for our ideas, or allowed ourselves to be overworked and underpaid.
We've held our tongue, stepped away from conflict, and many times not stood up for ourselves at all.

http://cdn3.whatculture.com

Who are we?

We are the overlooked.
The givers, the nurturers.
The quick to give second, third, and 50th chances.
The ones who make others feel listened to, respected, important, valued.
The ones who make time, and go out of our way for a friend, no matter what.

The ones who turn a blind eye, or sometimes live in complete denial of others' behavior.
The easily hurt, the easiest TO hurt, and the least likely to hurt others. 
We are the first called to help and often the last ones to receive it.
The keeper of secrets, and the receiver of negativity and venting.

Defining people like us in the dictionary, we're told that we are easy to overcome or influence. Easily persuaded, easily defeated, or seduced.

http://99u.com

We are easily manipulated, lied to, taken advantage of, borrowed from, vented to, stolen from. We are burdened, stressed out, unappreciated, underestimated, usually running on empty... And the list goes on.  

We are many things, but the one thing we are not is WEAK. In fact, we are some of the STRONGEST people out there. 

Because we keep going. 
We keep TRYING. 
We keep being helpful, honest, kindhearted, loving, generous, loyal, faithful, patient, trustworthy, sympathetic, empathetic, wise, and nurturing, no matter what we are put through.
We don't wait around for anyone to help us out of a bind. We're too busy helping someone else out of theirs.

So, to all the pushovers out there. I APPRECIATE YOU.

I think we would all do well take a moment and remember, just because someone's welcome mat is always out, that doesn't mean every muddy boot doesn't leave a mark. 

Let's be careful with each other. We are all in this game of life together. 

Rather, it should be that of your inner self,

the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet

spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

1 Peter 3:4