I often have felt as you do. I've given my heart and soul to lots of my friends, was always the one they called upon for advice, and I never failed any of them. But when the tables were turned, and I needed someone, where were they? No where to be found. Although, we should continue to treat others the way we, ourselves would like to be treated. I just sometimes think if you try to view it as you did a good deed for someone and you got a simple thank you or knew you lead that individual down the right path.... then sometimes, that is plenty enough respect in and of itself. Although, if you're being disrespected for expressing kind and caring ways and being disrespected in any way, shape, or form, it's time to pursue new friends. :-)

Sure.

I think the key in life is to treat people with respect and kindness. However, don't expect everyone to always return the favor.

I think the problem with the "do unto others as we would do unto ourselves" is that we EXPECT that we get the return FROM those who we treated right in our minds. It doesn't always happen in that way.

Those of us with anxiety/panic/depression are often told that we are not assertive and that learning to be assertive is helpful. I had an awakening the other day in my counseling session. My counselor gave me an example of how she might handle or say in a given situation to "assert" her opinion. I burst out in tears and said that I would be afraid that people would think I was a bitch if I said it the way she did.

I have had so much crap about being "nice" to people but no one taught me to have a voice and not allow people to walk over me.

Betsy