One of the things that can hurt my feelings the most is to be "forgotten." Excluded in activities, left out of contact, or plain and simply not remembered. I heard it said somewhere that when we don't make time for someone, it tells them they are not important to us.
How true that is.
We all know that the gift of our TIME is one of the biggest sacrifices we can make. We are always willing to step it up when the cause is worthy. We will drop everything for a friend or family member in need. We rearrange schedules to put in the extra hours to meet a deadline. So where is that line drawn? When do we pass up that opportunity, thinking it won't really matter? Who do we choose to ignore? And yes it's a choice, even if we're not completely aware that we made it.
I wondered, why does that hurt me so deeply? Am I just extra sensitive, or is this a common feeling for most people?
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, it made me think: when have I done this to others? Who have I left feeling unimportant, especially when it wasn't true? If you are reading this, I am truly sorry. I will be less selfish, since I know how you feel.
7 comments:
aMY--I absolutely know where you are coming from on this one. And if anything, I hope you don't feel this way towards me. TIME is the biggest thing...and it's hard when one is torn in so many directions. I hope you have not felt deserted be me...
I think the world of you...and I hope MY world slows down even a little bit so I can be in touch with you better.
You are awesome...and I am so happy to know you!
Of course you've never left me out. Not once. So no need to apologize to me. :)
But I KNOW I've been guilty of leaving you out of stuff. Even though it was accidental, I definitely felt guilty. I'm sure I apologized, but if not, I'm sorry.
I love that your introspection made you think of others and how you treat them. This means that you're compassionate and you let your experiences make you a better person.
Sorry you were hurt...
I do have to say I think 'that line' is a very fine line. I've noticed it now especially since I'm working part time outside of the home. Before I had time to manage my first several priorities, but since my time is more limited now, my time doesn't always reach as far down on my priority list. And sometimes, I can't drop what I'm doing like I could before. Unfortunately, this probably puts me into the same category as the person that left you feeling this way, but sometimes I have to draw the line when it infringes on the time I get to spend with my family.
PS I also think it has to do with personalities and a part of our brain... but I'll save that medical explanation for another time. :)
I hope it wasn't me! I should have just put my yucky tater tots in the fridge (my kids didn't even eat them anyway) and came over this week. Actually it was good we didn't, b/c Ethan started with a runny nose today. I'm sorry if it was me!!
AMY!!! I feel this way all the time .. It has been way too long since we have gotten together. Call me or blog me ... I will make the time Ü
Tiffany
I feel really guilty. . . I know I'm one of those people that gets busy and unintentionally doesn't pay attention to people. Hope I've never hurt you.
(And I just realized, since I've been out of town my sense of time has been warped, that we have a fun event coming up. I didn't realize its coming so soon. . . can't wait!)
I've definitely felt this way before and it stinks, but I try to give people the benefit of the doubt too. Like others have said, people are busy and sometimes that's all it is. I don't know too many people who would deliberately try to hurt someone else. Especially someone as sweet as you. :)
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