It is said that you should treat others in the way you want to be treated. This is easier said than done at times but many things are easy to do. You can say ‘Thank you’ when someone helps or advises you or holds the door open for you. You can do the same for others especially holding the door open. I struggle with doors as I use a crutch and often have a shopping basket on wheels so someone holding the door for me is very welcome but many times I have seen or even felt the door being left to swing back into me.
You can also help those who are vulnerable, maybe by helping someone to cross the road. I am sure you can think of many ways to do this. I like to think that I do these things and I try not to expect anything in return but a ‘Thank you’ would be nice to hear.
Unfortunately there are a lot of people around who do not do these things which I find really sad. I have often been told that I expect too much from my friends and others so now even though I find it easy to help others I find it difficult to ask for help and to accept it as well. I live on my own so often I need help around the house but I tend to try to do these things myself. When I have asked for help in the past I have watched the faces of those I asked and I can see whether they really are willing to help or are going to make excuses.
But expectations can go much deeper with those for whom you care deeply and love. If they do not offer help when needed you can feel deeply hurt but can you still care for them in the same way?
So what do I expect from my friends? I expect to share times of joy and laughter. I expect to share times of sadness and to be supported during bad times. I expect offers of help even though I haven’t asked for help and most of all I expect lots of hugs. What are your expectations?
Walking the Druid Path 
As usual, well said. Too many people are in too much hurry on their own mission and don’t even see those around them. They have no perception of the difficulties others experience in the day to day living……until it hits them!
Ask for help, Gladys. Sometimes friends are afraid of offending by implying that you aren’t coping, so they hold back. If you ask and they can’t help, accept it at face value and move on. Pride goes before a fall. Don’t fall! Stay strong.
this really hist home, i will help any one but dont ask for any help unless desperate, afaid of being labeled a pest or an inconvenience, so i struggle on sometimes nearly crying with frustration becuase i cant get the lid off a bottle for instance ,xx