"No" should be enough!

Some people expect too much. This drives me nuts. I seem to be the family member or friend that everyone relies on. Sure I don't mind helping out when in need but there comes a time when enough is enough!

It's nothing new I'm sure, but people with good hearts always seem to be taken advantage of! Recently, someone I know is no longer able to go visit their autistic brother due to health problems. Now this person, although a close family friend, is not close to me. Yet I get called, and asked if I would make weekly visits to the hospital for this aging autistic person. Now I can see why they asked me, because I used to do a lot of volunteer work with the mentally challenged. But this is not my responsibility. Doesn't this person have family members that could take over?

I felt so bad, that I almost said yes. Which is probably another reason I was asked, they figured in the end I'd come through like I always do. However, this time, I put my foot down. I explained that I just didn't have the time, and had too much on my plate as is.

Well sure enough, I get the guilt call from my mother. Saying that I should, this person is lonely... blah blah blah. But I stood my ground. Yet I felt terrible. I thought about it for weeks, thinking about this poor lonely person, and trying to figure out where and when I could spare the time. Finally my husband said enough is enough it is not your problem! And although I agreed, I couldn't help but feel bad. But why is it always me who has to come to the rescue, are there no other good hearted people around?

So now I've come to the realization, that for emergencies, if I can help I will, but I am no longer going to be the 'go to girl' for everything. Much to the chagrin of family and friends, who keep asking "but why can't you?" I now tell them, "you don't need a reason, no should be enough!"