Absolutely! If we all considered the feelings of others the world would be a much better place.

I just read a book I found very helpful, “Codependent No More”. It touched on how people can trick us into doing something for them we don’t want to do without them even directly asking for help. I’m more conscious about not falling for this now. So, if someone hints at wanting something from me (be it an opinion, advice, or a favor), I don’t have to respond unless they bring themselves to directly ask.

Then, when someone gives sound advice and the person doesn’t take that advice, I find people usually get upset that advice wasn’t taken. Usually, I don’t feel upset about that at all. There was only one time my mother was going to have a surgery and asked the advice of the whole family...she always asks everyone in the family, who all give her differing opinions...then she does what she wants anyway, which is usually the worst choice. So, this time she didn’t take our very wise advice and made a bad choice. I didn’t lay into her too much over it, but it was hard to watch her suffer after she did that surgery.