I can't kill myself. Loh #206.

Helllo everyone, greetings!

Blessed is the hand that gives than the one that receives......source unknown.

Life is beautiful even though it sometimes is complex and filled with ups and downs. The best part of living is helping the people we cherish and care for. I bet no one would be happy seeing their loved one in distress and would not be willing to help out that loved one. When those we care about are happy and doing well, it also rubs off on us and we are happy as well.

There's an extreme side to helping people and this relates to those who have an entitlement mentality. These set of people feel like it is their right to be helped anytime they are in need and when the help does not come, they feel resentment and even become vengeful.

A close friend of mine once said something while he was speaking at an event. He said "do not sponsor laziness and foolishness". This was his admonishment to those who give or help others carelessly. It is an economical fact that humans are limited meaning that you as a person cannot satisfy everyone. So there must be a form of balance in our offering help to others so as to avoid being played as a fool.

There was a story I heard about someone in the community where I reside. This young man (let me call him Jimmy) refused to work. He said he wanted to do business. When he was asked what business type he wanted to venture in, he said that he would go into selling of electronic gadgets and appliances. His uncle then asked him to prepare a proposal with his estimate. He did as instructed and his uncle gave him the money to the tune of one point five million naira (#1,500, 000). This was a huge amount of money, enough for Jimmy to set up his business but upon receiving the money, Jimmy rather than invest in the said business, began to visit bars with some of his friends who helped him squander the money.

Before long, the remaining money left with him was just two hundred thousand naira (#200,000) and that was when he came to his senses. Those friends who were clubbing with him abandoned him. He was not able to start up that business again and this pained his uncle who bluntly refused to render any help to him. Jimmy got angry because he felt like his uncle was a millionaire and could afford to give him more money. Jimmy now works as a security guard at a bank in another state, his business long forgotten.

In order to avoid burn out and weariness when trying to help others, I put myself first and I'm not ashamed to say it. I won't kill myself for anyone because even if I do, they won't still be satisfied. As a teacher, my income is not much to begin with, so this calls for serious budgeting. I budget my expenditures and even my giving. Once I have attained the set mark on the budget, there is nothing anyone would say that will make me do otherwise.

I know that sometimes, some unforeseen occurrences might crop up but that is a rare case and even if it happens, I will not shouder the responsibility alone. I would call for a meeting with other family members and we would then come to a unanimous conclusion to help the person in need.

Thanks for reading..shalom

Images used are mine.