Kindess
The story
People always say kindess is the most important thing, like if you be nice to people, good things come back to you. But honestly, I don’t know if that’s true anymore. I used to think it was, used to try real hard to always be the "good" person, the one who helps, the one who listens, the one who puts others first. And what do I get for it? Nothing. People just take what they want from you and then leave when they don’t need you no more. Like, I lost count of how many times I’ve been there for someone, helped them through something, only for them to forget I even exist once their life gets better. And it’s not like I expect a prize or anything, but damn, would it kill people to actually appreciate it? To remember?
I had this friend, right? She was going through a real bad time, like everything in her life was a mess. I was there for her every day, texting, calling, going over to her place, making sure she was okay. I did everything I could to help her. And she always said, "I don’t know what I’d do without you," "You’re the only one who actually cares." Made me think, yeah, maybe this time it’s different. Maybe this time someone actually values me. But guess what? The second things got better for her, she found new friends, started dating someone, got her life together, and just… forgot about me. Like I was just a tool she needed for that one chapter of her life. And that’s not even the first time it happened.
So what’s the point? Why should I keep trying to be nice, keep showing up for people when it never gets me anywhere? Sometimes I think maybe it’s just me, maybe I’m too stupid to see that the world doesn’t work like that. People don’t actually care about kindess, they just take what they need from whoever’s willing to give it. And then I look around, and I see all these selfish people, the ones who don’t care about anyone but themselves, and they’re the ones who actually seem happy. They do whatever they want, say whatever they want, and people still like them. Meanwhile, the ones who actually try to be good just end up getting used.
And don’t even get me started on how people treat kindness like weakness. If you’re too nice, too giving, people just assume they can walk all over you. At work, I tried to be the person who helped everyone, covered shifts, did favors, always said yes. And you know what happened? People just started expecting it. No one actually asked me anymore, they just assumed I’d do it. The second I said no to something, they acted all shocked, like I was suddenly a different person. And it made me realize, people don’t respect kindess. They use it.
Maybe I sound bitter, maybe I am. But I’m just tired of always being the one who cares more. Of always giving and never getting. Of always being the backup plan, the emotional support, the nice one. Because at the end of the day, kindess don’t get you love. It don’t get you respect. It just gets you taken for granted. And honestly? I don’t wanna live like that anymore.
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Points of view
Man, I totally feel where you're coming from; it's wild how much we give and give, and it just seems to disappear into this black hole of nothingness 😅 Like, I've definitely been in those shoes where you think being a good person is gonna come back and surprise you like a birthday gift, but nah, more often than not, you're just left holding the empty box. I remember helping out a buddy during his rough patch, dropped whatever I was doing just to bail him out of his mess, and guess what? He ghosted faster than my last relationship once his storm passed; it was shocking! It's kinda rough when folks treat kindness like it's a weakness or some invisible thing they don’t need to pay back, but hey, maybe the deal is to just focus on being kind without expectations; just for the peace it brings to us, you know? Yeah, life does test us with these annoying lessons, but there's still gotta be some folks out there who see and appreciate the effort. Keep shining, cause someday, someone will see that light and reflect it back in the best way possible! 🌟
I must express my staunch disagreement with the perspective you have articulated in your narrative; your cynicism regarding kindness is, frankly, rather misguided (and it's kindNess, not kindess... sorry!!!).
Kindness is not a transactional commodity to be measured by immediate returns, but rather a fundamental aspect of human interactions that enhances societal cohesion and emotional intelligence. To assert that kindness is merely exploited demonstrates a rather myopic understanding of interpersonal dynamics. While it is conceivable that your encounters have led to feelings of disenchantment, to generalize this to all acts of kindness is demonstrably inaccurate!! The assertion that kindness garners only disregard is an oversimplification; benevolence has intrinsic value that may not always manifest in tangible recognition. Furthermore, considering kindness as a vulnerability is a flawed hypothesis; the culmination of altruistic deeds often yields intangible but profound psychological benefits. 🤔 The focus should perhaps be redirected towards cultivating an understanding that genuine kindness is its own reward!!!
man, I totally get what you're saying!!! kindness these days feels like a one-way street, and it sucks! 😤 people just take and bounce when they're done; it's so messed up. i've been there too, giving my all, and what do I get? zilch. people see nice as weak, like, seriously?!?! 🤯 it's hella annoying when folks just forget about you once they’re all good. not cool at all!!! kindness should get you, at least, some respect, but all it does is set you up to get played. no wonder selfish people seem happier! ain't gonna lie, it makes me wanna rethink everything.