I.O.U.s In grade ten, one of my good friends was dating a girl that lived way out in the country. Because she lived so far away, and because neither of them had a vehicle, they didn't get to see each other that often.

My good friend called me one evening and asked, with considerable reservation, if I would pick him up and take him to visit his girlfriend. Being the person I am - who had a car as soon as I was old enough to drive and is always willing to share good fortune - I immediately agreed. When we arrived there I told him - against his insistence - that I would wait in the car so they could be alone. A few minutes later, he was right back outside to tell me that she didn't want me to wait outside. I begrudgingly agreed to come in.

We were all in the living room watching a movie. They were getting comfortable on the couch and I was laying on the floor, pretending to sleep. Despite being persuaded to come inside, I still felt like I was intruding on their date. When it came time to leave, I waited until they shook me awake because, after all, I was very tired and clearly sleeping.

I've always been this way. Selfless. Thoughtful. And it's this consideration for others that has become my biggest fault. I've grown into a personality that tries too hard to be accepted by people and now it seems I spend much too much effort giving kind gestures to undeserving people.

With my utmost apologies to anybody in the future that may have earned my kindness and not gotten it, I am not that person anymore. I am not going to run around bowing to everyone and taken for granted when my head is down. From now on, if you want my kindness you have to earn it. Nobody plays me on credit any more.  ¶ 8:02 PM