No Merit in Shifting Your Burden

Summary

No Merit in Shifting Your Burden explores personal responsibility, respect, and setting boundaries at hiveaid.org—building resilience and self-respect.

The Merits of Placing Your Responsibilities onto Someone Else. I can’t think of anyone who enjoys paying their utility bills. As far as I can surmise everyone would prefer to get their water and electricity for free. There may be some exceptions to this general rule. Still, these individuals are rare and difficult to find.

Nikola Tesla had the unselfish idea of inventing a technology that would give free electricity to everyone. Yet, his development activities were quickly shut down by people like Thomas Edison and Charles A. Coffin the founders of General Electric and their cohorts J.P. Morgan and Anthony J. Drexel the founders of Drexel, Morgan & Co., and the Vanderbilt Family who were more concerned with making money and having control than promoting a universal consciousness.

There is no shame in getting one’s utility services for free if it can be done. This is only true if there is no theft involved in the process. Yet, placing this personal responsibility on someone else is very inconsiderate of others and can spoil a relationship.

Very few people want to be used and taken advantage of. It goes against human nature to be content with any form of bondage. This includes physical or psychological servitude. Yes, it is difficult to say no when family members or close friends ask for financial help. If the need is sincere, help should be given if possible.

When the same person continues asking for help for the same purpose, the legitimacy of their requests should be evaluated. This evaluation is necessary to decide whether there is a genuine need. It also be a method for them to pay their bills without using their own money.

Some people use community agencies to pay their utility bills month after month. They do this so as not to use their money to pay these bills. To them, this is clever. But, to people who are really hurting, this practice is very thoughtless. It is uncaring of others because these services quickly run out of funds for that period. People who can pay their bills are consuming the funds because they refuse to budget and spend their money wisely.

A person’s personal obligations are nobody else responsibilities. If a person has any consideration at all for others, they will not place their burden on someone else shoulders. It is no one’s duty to feed someone if they do not want to feed themselves. It is no one’s else duty to pay a person’s utility bills. When that person can pay the bills themselves but refuses to do so. It is unreasonable for them to expect others to cover their expenses.

Love and caring can be used by a selfish person as a mallet to beat someone over the head with if they can get away with it. It may hurt, but at some point, there must come a time when enough is enough and the chains of bondage must be broken.

Problems and difficulties are not unique to any person. We all have our share of ups and downs within this tiny window of time called terrestrial life. Causing someone unnecessary worry and anguish is extremely antisocial. It is deserving of certain modifications in that self-centered person’s way of thinking. Being smart and cute doesn’t justify such behavior.

There is no merit in placing one’s personal responsibilities onto someone else shoulders. Excellence comes with being encouragement and supporters, not being a drainage valve and a party-pooper. If someone allows others to take advantage of them, they will soon lose their money. Their peace of mind will also leave quickly.

Essential points. Help if the need is genuine and you can do so. Do not be afraid to offend. Help those who are making every effort to help themselves. Do not let guilt guide you. Do not let love and concern blind you. Another person’s bills are not your responsibility and do not let them make you feel that they are.

If you are of the people pleaser temperament, avoid helping someone directly. You will more than likely make a mess of your efforts. Instead, use people and resources that are better equipped to give aid and support.

Who’s minding their store? They should be and not you. You have your own bills to pay. They continue to ask you for money to pay a utility bill. This shows that your household means absolutely nothing to them. They will use you until you are famished, if you are fool enough to let them.

You can’t control the actions, behavior, and thinking of other people. But, you can make a stand for yourself. You can also make a statement about yourself. They may get angry with you for pulling back. They will get over it. If not, they will at least have more respect for you. This is more respect than they did when you were letting them control you.

So, what are the merits of placing your responsibilities onto someone else? None that are noteworthy that I can see. This is just my opinion. You may think differently about this topic.