Entitlement

Ah, Entitlement... what a loaded word. Though that is the only thing that springs to mind when time after time I see people receiving things, great things, good things... not really earned or deserved and not being grateful. I am so over it, I am sure (Actually... no, I know for certain) that I have had this attitude before and honestly, it disgusts me. I am not saying you need to be overly, obnoxiously grateful for each and everything, but realize how great it is that you have it, and gracefully accept gifts from people. I find myself being so grateful for everything these days! I do not think I have ever been so glad to receive the smallest thing in my life, I am sure  a lot of it is to do with the position I am now in, in life. We are fine, we are not suffering or starving, but it is so wonderful to receive someones generosity. For my birthday one of my dearest friends from home made such a difference in my day, my week, and close to my year (she sure helped my 27th year get started much, much better. Upon moving in to my new flat, before I got the key actually, I found a small parcel waiting for me. It contained, a cookbook of cupcakes (one of our favorite things to make together, some English pounds to go buy myself a few cupcakes (which I have yet to do, though I have the money set aside for just that!) along with a specific cupcake vendor that she has heard good things about, and a wonderfully sweet card. I am certain that she has no idea what a difference that made to me, but it did. To be so separated from family and friends and to feel that warmth of someone thinking and caring for me made such a huge difference. I am so tired of providing incentives and gifts at work (not only my current work but others in the past) and people simply not being grateful, people being apathetic or complaining about their receipt. I just want to shout at them sometimes, that they are receiving it... for doing their JOB! It is really nothing more than what they should be doing anyway, but they are receiving incentive. I think it is a lot to do with age, perceptive and standing. And I am sure, very much to do with how you were raised, I know I still find myself trying to learn when someone owes me something and when they do not. My parents, the wonderful parents they are spoiled me and wanted so much for everything to be wonderful and perfect in my world. To this point, when something would go wrong, someone my have hurt me or done me wrong or things just hadn't worked out... I was compensated, be that via a new toy, a treat, clothing... etc. I find myself now, when getting screwed over by say... a letting agent (Which I feel has happened semi- a lot lately, I feel as though they owe me something. Where in the real world, the sad truth is that they don't. There is no judge or governing body that is going to make someone whom I deem incompetent of doing their job purchase a cupcake for me or what have you, that is just not the real world. And as I do prefer my little dream world, where I am the center for it, that simply just isn't life, and it really isn't that much fun in the grand scheme of things.
So, now I am growing up, and the odd desire to need to have a budget, and to need to be concerned with money, and save and plan and organize, has come to fruition. We are grateful for things, I hope everything. I know much more appreciative of the chocolates and cookery we have received in the past few days from a family member visiting from Australia. I have become  more organized, more diligent, more concerned with getting the most out of everything, and having that everything be something organic, recycle-able, and good for both myself and my world!  I value random bits that people give me be it a soda, or a  bottle of dishwashing soap (though I guess I have not outgrown my picky nature that I am the most grateful if it is my selected kind... organic but not overpriced! :) ) I hope I continue to realize my fortune and everyone realizes how blessed they are and what a gift we each have in real life.