How Much Do You Owe

@AmbiePam (92811)
United States
May 12, 2011 8:11pm CST
Not money. I want to know how much do you think you owe to friends, and maybe more so, how much do you owe your family. If you have a chance to do something better for your life but it might leave your family in a lurch, what do you do? Maybe it wouldn't hurt your family or friends, but they would feel let down. Do you do what you think is best for you? Or do you want other people to be happier, and you could just live with second best...
7 people like this
20 responses
• United States
13 May 11
I owe them just as much respect as I have given them, if not more because I am a very grateful one. If I had a chance to do something better for my life and it would leave my family in a lurch; hmm I would definitely want to improve myself for sure but not at the expense of leaving them without, so my leaving means that I would definitely look back and make sure they are taken care of. I would not leave them as like forever, and communicate as often as I could and send them money. I do what is best for me and in the interim of my happiness I find that I would definitely share it with them. I don't think I would be happy just making them happy because a part of me has to be happy to make anyone else happy too. I would not want to live with second best because done it and second best was not a great end result for me.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
13 May 11
I have a lot of the same feelings about this. The best for all persons concerned needs to be the goal.
• United States
13 May 11
Exactly!
2 people like this
• United States
13 May 11
Hi ladies Yeah I had to sit and think about each question and thought about if these questions that I had to face this is exactly how I would do it.
2 people like this
• Indonesia
13 May 11
I feel like so much owe with my family. I'm working but not yet give them much. I'm not good enough for them, so sometime I feel guilty if I cant give back all the attention and sacrifice that my family made especially to my mom. I dont how much big it is, but surely it's very big.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92811)
• United States
13 May 11
Oh, I hope you really don't think you aren't good enough. You're obviously good enough because you care so much!
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
13 May 11
thank you ambie, I really have to prove to them that I do so much care
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
13 May 11
You cannot do your best for others if you are settling for second best for yourself. Out of habit they may tell you that you are leaving them in a lurch, but if they care about you, they will care that you would have the best as well.Some of these opportunities are once in a lifetime. Be loving and respectful, but all concerned have to be well treated.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92811)
• United States
13 May 11
I like your advice GardenGerty. Thank you.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 May 11
Then sharing that success with those we left behind is yet more rewarding later.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
13 May 11
Good morning, Ambie. My children have always come first before myself. Now that i have grandchildren they come first to. They mean everything to me & want them to be happy, healthy & wise.
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
13 May 11
I owe my family big time particularly my mom who did a great job in becoming both our mother and father... my father's been working abroad for many years and i didn't grow up with him by myside.. my mom decided to retire from work since she wants to make sure that we are alright. i love my mom so much in spite of having some issues and all... i am planning to work abroad after my graduation but i don't want to leave my mom alone... oh well, it still depends on the situation. if my dad stops giving us financial support then i have got no choice but to work overseas so i could sustain my family's needs...
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92811)
• United States
14 May 11
You must really feel conflicted.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
13 May 11
To be honest I don’t think I owe my parents a great deal; it is more the other way around but ours is not the usual parent child situation, I have them in my life because I chose to forgive but owing, no. My sister I owe the respect and love she offers me all the time even when I am at my worst and my few good friends I owe their willingness to help me whenever I need it and I hope they know that I am here for them too.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92811)
• United States
14 May 11
So glad to see you!
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
13 May 11
I feel like I do not owe my family anything actually. I keep up with them already so that makes me even with them. They do for me and I do for them so we are even now. I like to make others happy. I always live with second best. sometimes I hate it but that is just the way it is.
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
13 May 11
That is something a mother can answer..When I raised my first three children, I didn't go to school or have a job other than to raise my kids. Now that I am in school and I have my youngest son at home, I hate it..I barely have time to fix him something to eat and do minor cleaning, let alone do anything with him. But I can't drop out, this may be what gives us a better future, so I feel stuck. Especially now that the weather has turned better, I can't go outside and play with him. Our favorite game is badminton, yet I don't have time because the work is hard and as much as I work, I still am not getting as good grades as I know I can. Plus, I want to keep my grades up to stay on the Dean's List since I was told it looks good on a resume. Except now if I get a job, I'd have to take my paycheck for a housekeeper and playmate for my son..:P
• United States
13 May 11
Oh,I hope that gibberish made sense, what I meant was I owe my family my time, but have none..:(
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 11
Thanks for the BR Ambie, so I guess my gibberish did make sense...
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
16 May 11
It really depends on the situation. For example, I can't/won't leave my parents alone in this area. I will stay here till they're both gone because they both need me and my husband's help. We have considered moving to Arizona or Nevada but won't even consider it till my parents are no longer. Especially now when our relationship has gotten SO much better. I'm hoping to make some really good memories from here on out for all of us to cherish and remember. So for now, I'll settle for second best.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
13 May 11
As a mom I have to put the kids' happiness first most of the time. Sure I have days where I put myself first and won't clean or cook or spend time with them.. but over all they come first. Basically everything I do is for them. I am working myself to the bone in hopes to buy a house... that's not for me, I wouldn't mind living in a trailer forever. It's for them.. I'm sick of them being cramped and not being able to release their energy. I'm sick of them not having a yard to play in or friendly neighborhood kids to play with. I'm sick of not being able to invite other friends and kids over because our house is just too small. So I'm sacrificing a lot at the moment to try to work towards that goal of buying a home so the kids can be happier.
2 people like this
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
13 May 11
There are some debts which in our life we can never repay as what we owe our parents who have fed us,brought us up, educated us and sacrificed so much for our well being and for our welfare.If we can make their lives better in their old age by taking care of them and not dumpimg them in some old age home as is the practice in Western countries.In India,my country, we never abandon our parents when they grow old but give them all the comforts which they need so that they can lead their final days in peace and good health.Yes, there come moments in our lives when we are given a chance to better our lives at the cost of happiness of our families.It is a very difficult decision that we have to take and it is best left to our discretion what we do so that neither our interests nor those of our families are harmed.This happens expecially when children settle abroad leaving their parents behind.At this time the children must see that their old parents are well provided for and also they must visit them as much as possible so that they do not feel left out or lonely and vice versa ,have them come over to their homes in the foreign countries for a few months so that they can also enjoy the comforts of what their children are having.
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
13 May 11
some family i owe everything. but ive given up so much of them i mean for their comfort and was not happy with mine. so i guess yes, its their happiness in place of mine. lots of the time.
2 people like this
• United States
13 May 11
I think i owe my family what they give to me. If they're always there for me, support me with my decisions and respect me, I will do the s ame to them. Treat others how you want to be treated, right?
2 people like this
@chuyins123 (2112)
• Philippines
13 May 11
I owe a lot to my family for the support and trust they've given me. I wouldn't be where I am now if not because of them. They all supported me, I have always thought I was strong and thought I could always stand tall in life. But then I realized I was blessed to my family around, they are one of my giants in life that made me stand tall in my walk of life. Another giant in my life that made me stand tall are my friends. They were always around for me. They know when I needed help, even at times that I don't say a single word, they just knew I needed them. I owe them a lot too. And the most important giant in my life is GOD. Yes, I know I am a stupid, stubborn and ungrateful brat. But He did save me, loved me and cared for me like a real great dad, He was always there to carry me and get through a lot of storms in my life. A lot happened this first quarter of this year. But by His grace, I was able to move on and go on living. Honestly I am what I am now because of the the people around me and GOD. :) Nothing is from me everything was all by GRACE. :)
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 May 11
always did what was best for my family hubby sons and daughter. My family didnt like my life style as we moved alot with hubbies work but it fed and clothes us and we got to travel. adn my sis said she would never had got to see the things she did if it wasnt for me living in different places.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
13 May 11
I think on something like this I am a bit more open minded then alot of others....though I love my family and they love me..if something would come up and it would better their live or mine....go for it. You only get one shot at life....there for you seriously need to do what is right for yourself. My brother got a divorce after being married for over 20 years...everyone was having a hissy fit...I however told him just what I told you....and now everyone has adjusted and things are just fine....
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 May 11
A hard question my dear. I have always put my children first and through them have gained so much happiness. Now I can out myself first f I like but I just love helping them in any little way. I don't expect them to owe me anything but having said that if I cannot find another job then I will have to accept their willing financial help. But this doesn't mean that I think less of myself or do ot have self esteem.You have given me a lot to think about
1 person likes this
• United States
14 May 11
I owe my family and friends as much as I owe myself. If someone needs a bit more love from me than the next, I will give it. I am a giving person and love to share what they don't have. Most of my family and friends are the same way. I am blessed to have a circle of people around me that are supportive and feel the same as I do. We are all here on Earth for the same reason, to survive and help one another. That is what we are suppose to do. Actually, I would rather say, that is the right thing to do.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
13 May 11
I owe a lot of people a lot but they don't ask for payment so I guess it's alright. Thinking of life like that will only make it worse. Most of the time if we've wronged someone, they forgive us right away even if we beat up ourselves of the things we've done. All we need to do is ask for apology.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
13 May 11
I owe a lot of people a lot but they don't ask for payment so I guess it's alright. Thinking of life like that will only make it worse. Most of the time if we've wronged someone, they forgive us right away even if we beat up ourselves of the things we've done. All we need to do is ask for apology.