Pay Attention!
by COSS Blog Contributor Joann Homen

How many times over your lifetime have you been fooled into thinking that someone was a friend only to find out that they were not what or who you thought they were?
Unfortunately, this has happened to most of us at one time or another.
As we age and mature we gain wisdom and knowledge and we begin to pay more attention to the people around us and their behaviours. Eventually over time we see the true them and that often entails how they treat us. If the person is really a friend or someone to trust, their actions will be aligned with their words.
If they present themselves as a friend, relative, partner and are loving and supportive to your face but behind you back they are bad-mouthing you....... this is not okay.
If they can't make the time for you because they are always to busy and they find an excuse to not be there for you....... this is not okay.
If they take advantage of your kindness and generosity but are no where in sight when you need a helping hand.... this is not okay.
People's actions really do reflect how they feel about you and their actions towards you truly do speak louder than their words. If someone's actions are not inline with their words, PAY ATTENTION and stop making excuses for their bad behaviour. I can’t think of a single reason to permit another person to treat you badly. Reflect on how you want to be treated and go from there.
You can keep these people in your life but do so with the knowledge of who that person really is. If you decide to allow people like this to remain in your life than it is important to set boundaries around them regarding how you will allow them to treat you. PAY ATTENTION to other people's behaviours and decide what you will and won't tolerate from them.
Take off the blinders and believe what they are showing you, because a person's actions are a direct reflection of how they feel about you.
PAY ATTENTION!