You’re a generous person; you’ve always prioritized giving over receiving. Friends and family describe you as someone who goes out of their way to be there when needed, to provide if asked, and never complains or expects anything in return. The care and affection you dispense to others is depleted before you can absorb any for yourself.
When was the last time you took notice of you? Can you remember when you last looked yourself in the mirror, and appreciated the person staring back, gave them a compliment, happy they were there, alive and well? If it takes more than a minute to reach back and grab a memory of you saying you love yourself, you’re not saying it often enough. And if that seems silly to you, I’d call it neglect.
In a world where external experiences define our days, months and years, there has been little to no attention given to the internal experience. You understand what pleases the next person; you understand how to satisfy, obey, comfort, and encourage everyone around you. And that’s a good thing. But what about the person who needs it most? The one individual you can never get away from… The words of relatives, close friends, co-workers can alleviate the frustrations of everyday life, sure. They love you. But as much weight as you place on their affection, there is a heavier dose of love they can never provide.
In your days of sadness, depression, loneliness and anger, who’s there to face those demons with you? Someone may be a phone call away, maybe even a spouse in the next room…but who’s truly with you at all times? Who’s the one person that can’t get away, can’t hide when things go wrong, when situations are unbearable they can’t end a phone call or make excuses not to deal with the pain? You know the answer. There’s only one true companion you can count on to conquer any tribulation.
They won’t run, because they can’t; they can’t hide because it’s impossible; the pain you feel is the pain they share.
So why wouldn’t this person receive the bulk of the love they’re deserved? Why does this person have to wait out in the blistering cold while others receive the simmering warmth of your affection?
And yet, this person never complains. They keep moving, delivering on promises made to others, handing out smiles, continuing to serve and support whenever asked. Selfless by nature, you never expect this person to raise the question to you. They’re used to being ignored, neglected. In some ways, they don’t feel they’re even allowed to be loved, unless it comes from a guy they’re dating. They don’t appreciate their worth, because in some crazy way, they tie that worth to the words of others. If they’re told they’re not pretty, then they must not be. If they’re told they aren’t smart, then I guess dumb is what they are. The loud and cancerous external voices drown out the quiet, internal voice that keeps saying the exact opposite…
You are pretty, this internal voice says.
You are smart.
But you never listen, do you? Or maybe not often enough. How long will you leave this person out in the cold? When will you turn to them and say I love you? It’s the least they deserve for being with you every waking second, every moment of every day…
And if you haven’t figured it out already, this unbelievably loyal ‘person’ is…