I DISLIKE using the world “ungrateful” or “ingrate” in any given scenario, but sometimes, I can’t find any other adjective to describe some people. To say one is an ingrate, is to say they are unappreciative or unthankful towards you. You don’t mind doing things for people, especially when they’re in need, but it hurts to be taken for granted. My parents always told me to, “give without asking for anything in return.” I tend to stick to that statement, but I also remind myself that I should give and invest in those who will appreciate me, my time and my energy. We’re all built differently, and at the end of the day, we can’t expect people to act the way we always want them to. Nevertheless, we should draw clear boundaries and lines on what we expect of people.

Your peace should be a priority of yours. You should protect your peace by investing in people and things that will show you respect and appreciation. It may be triggering when they show how unappreciative they are of you, but you can prevent that feeling or those triggers by staying away from people who may make you feel that way. The social and behavioural explanations of why these people behave the way they do may be because of the environments and ideologies that helped to foster their “growth” as individuals. A person may not know when they should show appreciation or gratitude towards you and what you’ve done for them, because they simply do not know any better. I know, the cry of ignorance is often everybody’s excuse for intolerable behavioural traits. Sadly, it’s often true. They were never shown gratitude or examples of it, so they simply don’t know how to be grateful. They were never taught how to appreciate rather than to hold expectations, so they throw a fit when you don’t give them things they expect to have.

The most unfortunate reality of being around people with behavioural traits like this is that you only exist to them when they need you. You give them all of what you have, whether it be financial help, emotional or mental availability. The minute you don’t have more to give, you’ll start seeing their true colours. You see, they really are when you are no longer beneficial to them.
The truth is, you can give them the entire world and a bit of the universe and that will never be enough. In reality, it’s not you who is short of something—it’s them who have voids that can only be filled by themselves. The problem is that people are oftentimes ungrateful and sadly, many of us can’t stop being kind—no matter how hard we try. Don’t allow anyone to ever project that kind of ill-treatment, unkindness or unappreciation towards you. We often speak about how we should give freely in society, but we don’t mention that it’s just as important for people to be compassionate and appreciative to others.

You can be anything you want in this world, but I plead with you – don’t be ungrateful. Show people you appreciate them and their efforts, and do not exploit their invitations of kindness.