Reciprocation

"Treat others the way you want to be treated".

I'm at a loss with the phrase. Ideally, it would be an awesome thing if everyone I had a relationship with honored the same phrase; however, such isn't the case. Aside from being ignorant, I give it the benefit of the doubt that appreciation, care, love...etc that is not returned is done so sincerely - as in time or circumstance didn't allow for it.

And again, as an old friend pointed out to me, "Not everyone wants to be treated the way you want to be treated", so subsequently there is the reasoning that sometimes no reciprocation is returned to me because it wouldn't be sincere in the receivers sense.

It's hard to find others who reciprocate to you the care you show to them; it really does show a great testimony of how truly awesome those friends are who do that. Don't let them go.

As for those who don't treat me the way I want to be treated, I continue to try my best to treat them the way I want to be treated, with respect, kindness, and understanding. And when they don't offer the same courtesy back, I admit I grind my teeth, take a deep breath, and hope they could see that I at least tried.

Then I do the same process with another in hopes that what I hope for would come true.

Affectionately yours,
Aaron